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Mar 05, 2025 06:00am

This is Not the End

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He peered over the top of his cards and just gave one look to his wife. Without a word spoken, we knew exactly what he was saying.

Spades. It was a fun card game, but with Mr. Wherry, we were serious.

His wife had played a card that he didn’t like. And all I could do was giggle like the little 7th-grade girl that I was, thinking that my friend and I might actually win against her parents.

I was wrong, of course.

Every summer, he would pull the camper out and get it hooked to the back of the truck. We started with just a pop-up camper and, throughout the years, had grown bigger and then went back to a smaller one in the later years.

That pop-up was a chore, but we loved it. Like a pro, he’d back that thing into our camping spot at Greers Ferry Lake. They always chose the Old Highway park. We wanted Dam Site because that’s where all the “cool kids” were. I’ll never know how Mr. and Mrs. Wherry put up with us girls and our shenanigans.

We spent weeks at the lake. Through some tough sunburns, swimming in the rain, quiet afternoons reading a book, and Mr. Wherry showing us how to dive off the rocks, camping was our happy place.

As we got older, they would plan a trip to Destin, where we would camp on the beach. We’d spend a week relaxing in the sand, shopping, and eating at Fudpuckers.

No matter where the Wherrys went – to the lake, to conventions for their businesses, to Florida, to Silver Dollar City, they never thought twice about asking me to go with them.

I could tell you a million stories about our adventures, fun times, and little moments that will forever be etched in my mind because that’s what you do when you look back on memories with your family. And that’s just what they were to me.

A few years ago, I was picking out Father’s Day cards and grabbed an extra one to put in the mail. Mr. Wherry was a second father to me. He gave me the stability I craved. He was an example to me of what a husband and a father should be to his family. He gave godly wisdom, encouragement, and the best and strongest hugs just when you needed them. And I needed a lot.

I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed at their house. Weeks at a time, I would be there, day in and day out. And every night ended the same. He’d click the news off, we’d go to his chair, lean down for a hug, and hear him quietly say,

“Love you, kiddo.”

Throughout the past couple of days, I’ve read many stories from those who knew him well in the Charlotte community. People were recounting the little sayings that he was famous for, his integrity and leadership as a principal, his mentorship and encouragement to teachers and students, and his love for his family. This man left a mark on every heart he touched.

I don’t have to tell you the heartache that comes from losing someone you love. Most of you know that grief all too well. But what I do want to share with you is this…

When the darkness surrounds you, there is hope—a beautiful light that streams through, illuminating a beautiful truth – that this is not the end.

Romans 8:10
“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.”

Death is simply the beginning for the believer.

Those who have put their faith and trust In Jesus as their Lord and Savior have the promise that they will have eternal life with God.

Heaven – a place where there are no more tears. No pain. No suffering. No death. The light of Jesus shines so brightly there is no need for the sun. It’s a place that has never been stained by sin and will forever be pure and holy. It’s where we are reunited with loved ones who have gone before us and trusted Christ. And it’s where we see our Savior, our Redeemer, our Father, face to face.

Do you know Jesus? Mr. Wherry wanted to make sure that this little snotty-nose, ratty-haired, “I can do what I want” girl knew that Jesus was Lord and that even someone like me could be loved. And I’m certain he would want you to know the same.

Let me show you. I’d love to introduce you to Him and what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus and walk by the Savior’s side daily. Go to follow.lifeword.org.

Because, my friends, this is not the end.