The Backside of the Mountain

John 14:1-7

The following meditation was preached at the funeral of Charles Whitlow, age 33. Mr. Whitlow died after a prolonged battle with cancer. He underwent several painful and experimental last-resort bone marrow transplant attempts in Duke University hospital. His father, grandmother, and grandfather, all charter members of Emerywood Baptist Church, died and were eulogized by Dr. Warlick within the three years preceding Mr. Whitlow's death. He is survived by his wife, age 32, and two children, ages 8 and 11.

We have come here this day to find comfort and understanding in the sickness and death of Charles Whitlow. We also are here to affirm his all-too-short life on this earth and carry forward some of the lessons he taught us. We are here as his mother, his …