Planted At Woodlawn Cemetery

Bill once told me that when he died, he wanted to ‘be planted’ in Woodlawn Cemetery. I asked Bill where he believed he would spend eternity, Heaven or Hell. I hurt in my heart when Bill looked me in the eye and said, “Hell.”

Bill went on to tell me that he had been a terrible person and no one life him could go to heaven. I assured Bill that he could go to Heaven. He said, “But you, do not know what I have done.” He was right, but I reminded Bill, he did not know what I had done either. I told him that on my own merit, I would be destined for Hell, but Jesus makes the difference.

That day I had the opportunity to show Bill, in God’s Word, that he did not have to go to Hell. He could go to Heaven. I shared verses like John 3:16, Romans 3:10, 18, 23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 10, 13. Bill and his wife, Pat, prayed that day accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. I do not remember Bill smiling and being filled with that much joy prior to our talk.

Over the next couple of years, Bill became close and I loved him like a brother. He had a stroke and ended up in a Nursing Home. I visited him a few times each week. He and Pat ate a Thanksgiving meal in my home with my family. Bill had changed so much and often we talked about the Lord, and eternity.

After that Thanksgiving meal, I took Bill back to the Nursing Home. He was so happy. That night, Bill had a massive stroke and died. They planted Bill’s body at Woodlawn Cemetery. Bill was no longer in that body. Bill was with his Savior, he had entered his eternity. He had met his Lord face to face.

Someday I hope to see Bill again.