Alvin Cain

This family amazes me.

Psalm 1:1–6 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

This verse perfectly describes Alvin Cain.

He was blessed. You, his family, were his blessing. You were his happiness.

He was like a tree. You, his family, are the fruit in season.

He absolutely prospered. Cant you see it? He knows the Creator of the Universe and his Maker knows him by name. He has stood before Him and the Lord of All has proclaimed “Well done, good and faithful servant”. And Mr Cain bowed before Him and emptied himself of everything he ever did here.

Not long after I became Mr Cain’s pastor I had the privilege of one uninterrupted hour with him. And for one solid hour he talked about the life God gave him. He told me a few of the stories you know so well. He shared with me some of the memories you will hold as long as you live. When that hour was over I knew a small part of a big life. But I also knew I had a Godly man sitting second pew, center isle every Sunday. There were other visits. He caught me after church a couple times and said let’s go get lunch this week. Or a morning cup of coffee at the dining room table.

You have your own memories of him. But there is one thing I’m asking you to remember today: His faith. I’m asking you to remember Mr Cain was a man of big faith.His faith hasn't ended. Instead of what he believed and hoped for, it is now what he sees and knows. He loved the idea that the church is the body with Christ as the head. And I’m asking that if you have your own relationship with Jesus, don't keep it a secret. Mr Cain was proud to tell me about his faith in the Lord.

He has now stood before his Maker. He has looked at the glory and beauty of heaven. He has given his worship to the King. If there was one thing he could tell you after seeing all that, I think it would be “its worth it. Putting your faith and trust in Jesus is worth it”. Can I pray for you about that?