One of my fall speaking engagements was held at the Sheraton Hotel Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas, for a non-profit organization. I had been asked to be the key-note speaker and team with them to raise their budget that year.

The setting was a ballroom that was filled to overflowing. Nearly a thousand met that night and some tables had to be set up in the hallway just outside the doors of the banquet center. All types of people and backgrounds met that evening from State leaders, businesswomen and men and every diverse career path and age group you could imagine. It was a night that was successful on all levels and I loved my time with some of the best in the Midwest.

Before speaking and during the dinner, I was surprised by my mother’s best High School friend, Dorothy, who lived in the area. We sat and talked like old school girls as I updated her on my parents. I love the friendships that span the generations. Our family’s tradition has always been that no matter the friend, if it is my parents, then it soon becomes mine and vice-versa. The same is now true with our own children. It is the easiest of networks and having friends at all ages is more true to real socialization.

However, my biggest surprise came after the standing ovation I was given and my long line of greeting people back at my book table. After signing books for some time, a woman approached me after the crowds had gone. She said, “I have been waiting 45 minutes to talk with you.”  She said I had given her some new verbiage as she restated a line that had really captured her heart. Reaching to take her hand she said, “I am Melody Green.” We continued to clasp hands, now as long lost friends. I asked, “Are you Keith Green’s widow?” to which she said, “Yes.”

In that moment time seemed to slow down and I had a collision of memories. Keith Green’s worship music had been cutting edge for his time and his tragic airplane accident had taken him too soon from us. In addition to the loss of his life, Melody lost some of their children that day who were on the plane too.

I asked her about her life and her own incredible ministry as a song writer and author. Then I asked her to take me back to that day and what she experienced. I stood remembering exactly where I was when the radio announcer gave the world the news of the Green’s devastation.

I told Melody about the last concert I attended of Keith’s in Central Illinois. Thousands stood and sang the old hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy” with him in a crowded field house. I can still feel the goose bumps as I remember thinking this is as close to heaven as I will ever be while on earth.

Keith, you and your children now join in singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy” around the throne above.

Thank you for the life message and timeless songs you gave us.

When you choose to look past the horizon… the sky is the limit!