Heavenly Home
My My husband and I attended a funeral this weekend for a dear friend who we have worshipped with for over 40 years. He died quite suddenly of a heart attack on Tuesday afternoon, June 1st,after having a routine scheduled appt. with the cardiologist just that very morning. His name was Bob Price, a man truly after God’s own heart. I write this to bring to light a portion of the obituary that was written about him:
“Bob practiced law in the city for over 45 years. Through the power of Jesus Christ, he used his work as an attorney to comfort the brokenhearted and listen to the unheard. All the while pointing people to the one true source of hope, peace and love in Jesus Christ.”
This obituary is just what Bob would have wanted…it was not about his many accomplishments or memberships or associations that he was involved in…it was a simple explanation of what he found to be life’s priority and how he lived it well through his faith, as he loved and served others.
Bob has kept a journal for over 40 years and the entry into his prayer journal the morning that he went to be with the lord was as follows:
“For your creation, how it points to your power, your providence, your timeliness, your eternity and your perfect plan. Please use the Roger groups, (re: Roger Wernett and his disciple groups), use and direct me. Guide Dr. Younis today” .
We all have lost loved ones and the sorrow and grief is overwhelming but as time passes by we learn to cope with the new normal, moment by moment, day by day. When we attend funeral services we often hear of the extraordinary things that people have done, excerpts of life lived and examples shown and we walk away thinking gosh he or she has left quite a legacy. Not so sure my life resume even resonates. But what we really should be thinking is: It is GOD who RESONATES in the lives of all his believers.
This devotional might sound preachy but this obituary was so simple and sometimes we make life so hard by trying, trying, trying to do things on our own without God’s loving input and guidance. No matter how good our deeds are they will never be good enough to get us into heaven. For it is only through Gods amazing grace; his life, death and resurrection that we are invited to live eternally with Christ in heaven.
So often times we do those good deeds with the wrong intentions; thinking our good works are the key to open heavens gates. Though they are good they not what God is seeking.. He wants to hang with us each moment...to count on his dependence not our independence. So many times we seek accolades of our peers or our own self gratification and preservation rather than deeds being done out of our devotion to God and for his glory. We, through our doubts, trials, mishaps and sins are loved unconditionally by God and are covered by his grace. His love for his children is infinte and he is transforming us day by day so that we can step out of the darkness of fear and insecurity into HIS light.
The Price family has now begun their grief journey. Bob left an amazing legacy and example for us to see and maybe learn a bit from. He served his Lord, his family and others with a spirit of love, compassion and thanksgiving. He will be missed by his family and friends but oh how wonderfully glorious that he is now in the presence of the Lord whom he has loved, cherished, respected, trusted and faithfully followed. "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." – Psalm 23:6
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
I know that many of you reading this have also suffered the loss of loved ones and the journey is heartbreaking and sometimes so hard that you wonder if you will survive it yourself. You will…with God’s help and God’s strength and your trust. I know the following poem is a light way to end this but years ago I wrote about Humpty Dumpty…(remember that big egg that fell of a wall)….because when you are grieving, it seems like everything inside of you is broken. so hear it is:
“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.”
So Humpty appealed to our great God above,
To His power and strength and grace and his love.
Please Dear God just get me through this day,
For one day at a time is what I must pray.
And sure enough God answered his one request ,
So he submitted a prayer to God again..for another day to be blessed.
God said I'll be here today as I have been before,
I'll take care of your needs...worry no more.
I will walk right beside you and wipe away your tears,
I will give you courage to combat your deepest fears.
The kings horses and men could not make you again whole,
But my love and my grace will take good care of your soul..
Just give me some time and I will give you my might...
Now rest my child...for you are in my Holy sight.
I will pick up your pieces and heal your broken heart..
Just remember each day with me to start!
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation
He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
