funerals

Funerals... not generally a favourite thing to go to... but I have been blessed to attend the funerals of two good friends.

Blessed to be able to thank God for his work in my friends' lives
Blessed to remember all they did for God.
Blessed to see all the different people who gather at these times to remember friends we love.
Blessed to know a closeness of God: His grace and His mercy and His faithfulness to us.
Blessed by all the friendships I still have.
Blessed by the covenant bond which means we do share each others pain and can also support each other.

Today I was humbled to see a leader who has a reputation for being a bit stern stood by the graveside with tears running down his face. It showed God at work in this brother that he really did love and was not afraid to let his grief show.

I used to say that I did not want anyone at my funeral who would not have sat with me in a meeting. I don't feel like that anymore. Jane and Danny both had many more people who loved them than they would ever have imagined. If we had talked about it while they were still alive, they would not have believed how many people would come to their funerals. If my life serves as a testimony to God, then as many people as want to can come.