A beautiful day for a funeral

I went to a funeral today. I did not personally know this man. A friend of a friend. My wife had the honor of being with and comforting his wife in the emergency room on Friday afternoon after he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. God has a way of putting His people in the right place at the right time…when and where they are needed most.

You may recall that last Friday was a beautiful day. It was warm and the sun was bright in the clear blue sky. And it was Friday! A great way to start the weekend. This 40 year old husband and father of two little ones was mowing the grass when he began to feel weak. An ambulance was called. In less than an hour, he was gone. He left this world never to return. Never to walk this earth with his wife or children again. Forty years goes by so quickly, doesn’t it?

My wife and I have talked about this unfortunate turn of events all weekend. I am older than he was. How would she tell my boys that I was gone? Would they ever understand? Would they know that life would go on without their dad around? They would. They are strong. My wife is strong. Their faith is strong. Of course life goes on.

As I listened to friends and family speak about this young man, I was touched as they talked his faith in Jesus Christ. About his love of life that came from his love for God. Although I cannot begin to imagine the pain and the hurt that this family will go through in the days, weeks, months, and years to come, I could not help but to feel that their knowledge of his faith in Christ will comfort them. They know that this was not the end. It was the beginning of an eternal life with Christ Himself. This world is not our home. Too often, however, I treat it as such. How shallow of me. Our time on this earth is only an opportunity to grow our faith in Jesus and help others to that same faith. Our time is short.

When I go to work tomorrow, I will remember today. I will remember that my time is short. That I will be accountable for how I use my time, my resources, and my opportunities to witness for Christ. I define what is important to me each and every day. My schedule tells a story of what is important in my life. Of who and of what I define as worthy of my time.

Today was a beautiful day for a funeral. I wonder if the sun shined brightly today because Christ Himself wanted to show his glory, to show His pleasure in welcoming one of His own to their eternal home? I think so. I think that God shows Himself to us in so many ways each day. I pray that I am aware enough to notice and wise enough to seek Him above all things.

A celebration took place in heaven today. Praise God for His unending love for us.