PART 5
On December 19th, while shopping for last-minute gifts, I returned home to devastating news. Dusty 
looked pained as he said, “You better sit down.”
“Why, What’s the matter?”
“Rodney’s been in an accident. He was headed home after work when a drunk driver hit him head-on. They don’t know if he will live through the night.”
“That can be, I mumbled, he’s only 23.”
Dusty handed me my Bible, and I opened it to this 
verse, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7
I was shocked. Was the verse trying to tell me something?
Dusty stayed home with the kids while I raced off to the hospital. The doctor said Rodney was losing blood faster than they could pump it in. Rodney had brain damage, and if he lived, he would be like a vegetable.
Family members stayed through the night, but I left in a daze towards morning. I wanted to stay longer, but Dusty needed the car to go to work.
Back home, worn out and emotionally drained, after Dusty left for work, I went in and lay down on the bed. I couldn’t sleep; I could only 
pray. Suddenly, peace overwhelmed me. “Rod’s going to be alright,” I said out loud. A glance at the clock showed 10 a.m. Suddenly, I relaxed and fell fast asleep.
The phone woke me four hours later at 2 p.m. Our pastor was on the line with news about Rodney. The family had permitted him to pray that God’s will would be done. The alert sounded on the life-support machine as soon as the pastor prayed. Rodney discarded his useless body as he might an old overcoat, and his soul went to heaven. Angels had ushered him into the Lord’s presence at precisely 10 a.m.
Rodney was the first in our family to receive salvation and the first one God called home. With God’s grace, we 
had assurance that we would someday follow Rodney to heaven individually. Even though it was a sad time for all of us, God gave each of us peace in our hearts that comforted us. Relatives, neighbors, and Rodney’s many friends attended his funeral. They also heard Rodney’s favorite song, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I’ll Be There.” Rodney’s name had been “called up yonder,” and there was no doubt he was “There.” Rodney was too bashful to tell people about Jesus when he was alive, but God used his death to lead others to Himself. Five people walked the aisle to accept the Lord when the pastor gave the invitation. Someday, they would be reunited with all the saved throughout eternity.
Life continued, but what would I do without my baby brother?
Coming soon: Part 6