For the past four months I have asked, “Lord, is there something that can be salvaged from what we with our human understanding can only interpret as a tragedy?” I kept asking and I kept listening. I shared the tragedy and the loss of four young lives with many people and listened for a response. Then one day I heard words that startled me. The words came from a Believer who observed all the traditions of his particular denomination. He said, “Peter, I hope that when it is my time to die, I will be good enough to go to Heaven.”

I trembled as I heard his response; for I knew that our own goodness is never good enough to save our soul. It is written that my righteousness, my wardrobe of good deeds is as filthy rags in the sight of God. I knew that Jesus had purchased a garment of salvation for me when He died on the cross of Calvary for all the sins of all mankind, which included mine. And I knew that it was my choice, it was up to me to receive this garment of salvation as a gift or not receive it at all.

But how can one convey these life-preserving truths across the counter of a busy store while customers are milling about, interrupting and asking questions? I did the best I could to explain the mercy and grace of God; but I hasten to add here what was in my heart but may not have crossed my lips. It is my prayer that this P.S., this post script to my conversation will find its way into the hearts of those who labor and live under the delusion that being “good enough” can ever open the gates of heaven to any of us regardless of how perfect a life we may have lived here on earth. “Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins on the cross,” - words coming from a grateful heart, are the only kind of words that will cause St. Peter to open those heavenly gates for us. It’s a good idea to practice those words early and often.

The poem “I’m Free” was a part of the memorial service held for the Lee family. The third line of the poem reads: “I took His hand when I heard His call.” May the Holy Spirit cause these words to leap from this page into many hearts. We may not know it, but we are all walking on the edge of eternity and may slip across before the day has ended. The time to say “Yes, Lord” is now. Later may be too late.