By: Jack Kale, Pastor Central Pensacola Beach
The 145 miles didn’t seem that far to drive for Bobby Dailey’s funeral. It was in Dothan on Monday. He was the Scout Master of Troop 38 for 20 years, most of which I was a part of from 1984-1991. Mr. Bobby poured into my life during those days, weeks, months, and years as I grew into a man. He taught me about humor, knots, hard work, how to use my resources, and flexibility when life threw curveballs. He was the first man outside my family who I admired. He was with me when I learned that my house had burned down. He was my dad’s best friend. He hiked the Smokey Mountains with my dad and me a few times the week after Christmas. I still remember him handing me a Stouffer’s frozen lasagna after my dad died in 2012. I’m sure my dad was one of the first people to greet him when he arrived in heaven.
Ross drove from Ashford to be at the funeral. We would go camping one month a year every year we were in scouts together for years with Mr. Dailey as our fearless leader. That was 25 years ago. Today, we folded the flag, when the funeral home staff seemed to be having trouble. It had been a while, but we remembered how Mr. Dailey taught us to do it, tight, and to make sure that no red was showing; it should just be navy blue and white stars. It was an honor to fold that flag that covered his casket, especially to do so with someone who loved him as much as I did. The drive was worth it, for sure.
Roman didn’t make it to the funeral. He lives in North Carolina. It would have been a roughly 1,400 mile round trip for him. No doubt, Roman loved him as much as Ross and I did, but he just couldn’t make the trip. With his family responsibilities, job duties, and life’s circumstances he wasn’t able to make the trip. I get it, but he just couldn’t make the drive.
Life is all about figuring out what is worth the drive. Is it worth it to go a few miles out of the way for cheaper gas? How far will you go to get a better deal, find a listening ear, a comfortable place, or a way to find relief? We establish limits to our kindness, our generosity, and our patience. We set limits on how far we will go to help someone we love, how long we will wait for that change to come, and how much we will invest in the next opportunity. How far will we go is a question that rattles in the back of our consciousness every time we make a decision.
As I reflect on the power of a life well lived in regards to Mr. Bobby, I realize that what drove Mr. Dailey in leadership was something deeper than typical motivation. He had been called to love fiercely, give generously, and to serve selflessly. He was driven to give. He was driven to be kind and gracious. He modeled for a generation how to love, forgive, encourage, bless, and assist. He was driven past himself and toward others. He was driven, not for himself, but for those who needed him.
Jesus was the perfect example of someone who was driven to love. He loved those oftentimes dumb disciples, even when they didn’t get his message of second chances and of hope. He was driven to love even at the cross, when he forgave those who didn’t even know what they were doing. He offered second chances to those who didn’t think they had one coming and gave grace to those who needed it most. He stepped in front of an execution to stop it and went all the way to Golgotha to prove his love for us. He went all the way, even to the cross.
How far will you go to forgive? 70 times 7? Will you love those who are hard to love? Will you go to the ends of the earth for those who are counting on you? How far will you drive for what matters? A church alive is worth the drive. So it should be for the people who have earned your trust and affection. A trip to the mountains is worth the trouble and so should be a trip down memory lane. Love extravagantly. Hope fully. Give generously. Smile contagiously. Go the distance, and you’ll be glad you made the trip this Christmas season.