What I said on May 11th

Originally posted on on Sunday, 29 May 2011

~ May 11th 2011 was my husband's funeral. A sureal day to say the least, but this is what my heart had me say. ~

Thank you so much for being here today. For taking time in your week to come and take your special place among the people who knew my husband. 

This isn't just a loss for me, for us. This a loss for each of you too. Each of you who knew <my husband> at all have suffered this loss. 

My friend in Ontario who has suffered her own great deal over the last year said it so well to me when she called.

I have not suffered a loss.

I have not misplaced something.

I have suffered a tragic theft.

You have suffered a tragic theft.

We have had robbed from us the chance to know our co-worker, friend, brother, son, father ...lover.

We have had the chance to watch him do the ONE thing he wanted to do above all things.

Grow into a great man of God.

You might think "But he was one" and I'd agree.

<He> Loved the Lord. Loved God with his whole heart.

He was a servant.

He was compassionate.

BUT he had a knowing deep inside him that he needed be so much more.

He had a knowing that if we could just focus on God just a little bit more we could be great. He could be great.

You know <he> was not the kind of guy to be all that concerned with the way people perceived him.

Actually he defiantly liked to be misperceived. To be judged by his cover if you will.

He was so looking forward to getting more and more chances to make people say "YOU are a Christian?! You?!"

We have been robbed.

God knew the day I met <him>, the day you met <him> that this Friday March 6th 2011 was coming.

He knew the choices both good and bad each of us would make in our relationship with <him>.

The selfish things he would do and the selfish things we would to to shape what that relationship ultimately became.

So this is what I believe with ALL my heart <he> would want me to say to you today. As he stands in Heaven, IN HEAVEN with God, the GOD he knew was real and was the only hope.

As he stands there today, unaware of our suffering because of the all-encompassing joy of the Lord!

He would want me to say this.

There is a God in heaven who loves you more than life itself. He loves you more than the choices you have made. the crimes you have committed, the drinks you have taken, the hurtful things you have done.

HE loves you far more and greater than any and all short comings you see in yourself.

And <he> would want you to take one lesson from him.

Don't care what people think!

Don't be who your parents want you to be,

who you spouse wants you to be,

who your friends want you to be or even who you think you should be.

BE WHO GOD WANTS YOU TO BE and you will be everything.

There are so many things I feel are going to be left undone now.

But they don't have to be. You can do them. You can pick up where <he> left off.

Spending time with youth and showing them there is a way to happiness so much greater than anger and self-destruction.

Spending time helping the people around you so they know there is at least ONE person who cares.

But most importantly spending your time finding out Who God is on a personal level and what his perfect plan for your life is.

<He> wanted to do all these things and more so badly.

But now he doesn't have to get to know God he IS WITH GOD!! There is a Place ready and waiting for each of us right by his side!!!