Monday, February 28, 2011

A Life Well Lived




My sincere apologies for not posting lately. You see, our family recently lost our patriarch, my dear precious father. He passed on quite suddenly and unexpectedly. We have all had to adjust to a new reality of life.

My father was an amazing man. I would not be the person I am today without his guidance and influence. He taught us what was most important in life: our personal relationship with God. We are all better for having known him. I am confident that I will see him again in Heaven one day.

A celebration of his life was held at our church and I found the service to be tremendously healing. The setting was perfect-our old church's majestic sanctuary. The beautiful stained glass windows, the choir, the pipe organ and the bagpipes were a fitting tribute to a wonderful, multi-faceted man.

I would like to share with you a few words that were shared at his memorial service. I hope you find them as uplifting and assuring as I do.

"This service of resurrection is a declaration of our faith in the living God, whom we have come to know in Jesus Christ.

On the occasion of the passing of (my father), we gather to worship God who raised Jesus Christ from death
and made resurrection the true mark of our future.

We have come as people of God to express our love for (my father) and to share our faith and hope in that life which is God's gift to us.

In celebrating God's love and the passing of this life, we readily confess our sorrow and our difficulty in always accepting death as a natural part of life. However, we dare to look beyond our sorrow to claim a deep joy in knowing that there is nothing in life or death that can separate us, and those we love, from the love of God which is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord."
(see Romans 8:38)

If my father was to speak to you now, I know that he would say, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God."(see Job 19:25)




Many thanks to Pearls and Grace for the kind post about my father's passing. The love and prayers from friends like you help us every single day.

"because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:14-18)

I will be back to posting about all things visually delightful and lovely, but for now, I've got my mind on the divine that I can not see, but I know is so very real.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
(Gloria & Bill Gaither)

14 comments:

  1. My thoughts are with you at this time as you find comfort in the peace of our heavenly Father. I can only imagine how wonderful your Father was and is, in memory and spirit.
    We will be here for you.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. A life well lived is all that any of us can aspire to.
    Daryl

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was glad to see you back... but so sorry to hear that the absence was caused by the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Like you I know and believe that there is so much more after this life. Every word you wrote, I know to be true. I know what it is to lose a father, and though it' coming up on 2 years for me, there are days when my heart swells and the tears come, because of the sweet love and memories for a wonderful man. I'm happy that you had such a man in your own father. God bless you at this tender time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. prayers to you and your family
    xo,
    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bless your heart! I lost my beloved Mother this last September and have not been much in the mood for blogging either. So good to hear from you and I hope your heart is healing and that you will be back to sharing your beautiful blog posts with us again soon.
    I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
    xoxox,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, what a tough this must be for you. Your post is such a beautiful tribute to your father. lots of love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am thinking of you and sending you love and prayers....

    Wish I could hug you in person and listen to you share all about your
    incredible Father....

    Miss you sweet friend,

    Sibi

    ReplyDelete
  10. So so very sorry to hear of your father's death. What an amazing man he must have been.

    Also, Romans 8:38 is now a verse I will treasure. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My dear sweet girl, I too was thrilled to see you pop back in but oh my goodness my heart just sank with your news.
    My apologies for just now touching base but please know that my heart is with you and I will keep you in my prayers.
    This was an incredible service & tribute to a fine man. You must be so very proud.
    Be strong and be well and thank you for sharing this with us.
    xo Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh dear darling, I finally had time to pop in and say hello only to find that you have lost your father. My thoughts are with you and your family, and I hope it is of some comfort to know that those we love live forever in our hearts and visit us frequently while we dream.

    Much love, Coryanne

    ReplyDelete
  13. i am so sorry i am just learning of this. this made me cry because my heart breaks for you dear friend. i cannot imagine ... and will know one day but until then i will thank God everyday for my darling parents...

    MUCH love and MANY prayers to you and your family...xoxoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete