We live just 3.5 hours north of mountains that smoke, expertly called The Great Smoky Mountains. As I stood last night in the funeral home, at the end of the visitation service, I watched the roll of photos move across the screen. Several displayed the deceased with his family. Some photos, I was reminded, were of their many visits to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a park filled with cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, plentiful wildlife, and an indescribable view.  I once read that The Great Smoky Mountains remain one of the most visited parks in the United States.  When hiking, people actually trek part of the Appalachian Trail, stopping to view gorgeous wildflowers or the mist from a waterfall or even the mountain view.  Truly, the park makes a lasting impression on individuals, reminding us how the mountain could never smoke unless the LORD allows for it. “He touches the mountains, and they smoke.”

The deceased one and his lovely wife live just a few short miles from us, a place where the winter season has been extremely cold.  In fact, during the previous snowstorm, we experienced snow, then ice, then snow, and then frigid temperatures that endured for over a week.  Schools and churches were closed; people were encouraged to stay off the roads; and several individuals experienced injuries from falling while attempting to walk upright across the ice and snow.  An anomaly that occurred for the first time (ever) sounded as a LOUD BOOM, one we heard from the comfort of our homes.  The meteorologists call these “Frost Quakes,” a weather sensation that has never occurred in this area, and quite frankly makes one sense that the foundation of one’s home is surely cracking whenever the LOUD SOUND is heard.  The Bible tells us:  “Let the LORD be glad in His works;  He looks at the earth, and it trembles; . . .”

This morning, as I write, I am reminded of where I will go today, for on this day, a wonderful man’s funeral will be attended.  By the size of last night’s visitation crowd, today’s attendance may be large as well.  After his illness and untimely passing, today we find ourselves attending his funeral.  His precious family feels the weight of his departure, and praise the LORD, he has gone home to heaven to be with Jesus.  Those who know Jesus as their Savior gather with the psalmist who wrote:  “Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; . . .”