If you're reading this and you have children, go hug them and tell them you love them.

I have a deeper understanding of the impermanence of life these days. I never would have thought -- ever -- that I would lose my children. Yes, I knew my sins were great, and that I would have to suffer consequences for them, but in my naivete I had never dreamed that I would be taken away from my children in such a way. The thought simply never crossed my mind. After my repentance in January 2008, I thought the hard part of life was over.

Last Sunday Brandi and I went to Dayton Black's funeral -- he was only 32. Dayton is the son of Richard and Cathy Black; those two have been exceptionally good and close friends to Brandi and me for more than 10 years.

On July 23, Richard and Cathy had me over to their home for a meal. It was refreshing to eat a home-cooked meal on a real plate with non-plastic utensils. After the meal Richard and I sat in his living room while I tried to express the pain and anguish I was presently going through. Richard's warm encouragement left me with a sense of well-being that night, and I walked away from his place a slightly better person. I was sharpened.

Only two months later, Brandi and I found ourselves at Dayton's funeral. How does that happen? How does someone go from life to death in such a short space of time? Dayton even joined Richard and I for a bit of conversation on that July night. I remember thinking back then, Man, this guy is huge! He could kill me if he wanted to. And it was true. He was a semi-pro football player, full of life and health -- the exact opposite of physical death. Now he's gone.

My problems seem so small in comparison to literal, physical death. How do you look a friend in the eye, a friend who just lost his only son, and say anything that makes any sense? "I understand your pain." No, I don't. "I'm feeling similar feelings, Richard." No, I'm not. "I know what it's like to lose touch with a child." No, I don't -- not in that way. My sons are still breathing. His is dead. Big difference.

Life truly is a vapor, and nothing is permanent. Only JESUS.

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)