“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.”
Leonardo da Vinci quotes (Italian draftsman, Painter, Sculptor, Architect and Engineer whose genius epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. 1452-1519)
Leonardo da Vinci quotes (Italian draftsman, Painter, Sculptor, Architect and Engineer whose genius epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. 1452-1519)
My dear Girlfriends, yesterday truly ended in sadness. Fred, a member of our church, died. I didn't always sing Fred's praises. When I met him and his wife, I truly enjoyed their spirits. I soon found Fred exhausting. His enthusiam and energy seemed unending. I even found myself angry later, which was in reality a huge disappointment in his decisions and the affects on another family in church that I hurt for. I praise God however I was able to look with God's eyes these past couple of months. God showed me a lot about this man as I reflect back.
I am thankful for the last time I saw him and he gave me his strong warm hand and greeted me with a smile. This was the norm for Fred. Through it all, meaning some tumultous times in our church, Fred kept his smile. He took on the roll of greeting members when they entered and left services. I didn't always appreciate it because I had such doubts of his sincerity. I remember soon after our preacher left the church and my heart was heavy. Fred came to me. I had just returned from Jamaica. He welcomed me back home and hugged me. I am glad now I returned the hug, but then I was suspious.
I am not saying that Fred didn't have sin or needed forgiveness, but I will say regardless of his burdens, he kept true to his word in his desire to serve. No matter what his motives, he remained integral in his demeanor. He greeted and he smiled. Who am I to deny the man his convictions, even if we didn't agree? The Word says we are not to judge. I will not cast the first stone.
Fred has a wife who plays our grand piano at our church. She is known for her mini recitals durng the offering. She is currently battling cancer. She is fragile and now, overwhelmed in grief for this unexpected death of her husband. When Fred would request pray for his wife, tears would fill his eyes. He loved his wife. Fred has adult daughters as well. I am not sure of any sons. His daughters are very pretty and talented. I imagine they are devasted. Times like these you want to reach out, but what does one do? When do you hold back and pray? When do you call and offer support? This ettiquette I do not know. I do know that I am so sorry for what they are going through. I am a wife and I have children. I CAN imagine what a sudden death would do to this family. I don't like the sadness and ache in my heart. What I can't imagine is finding comfort in the reality of Kevin being in a better place. I would want him with me! Selfish? yes! Maybe Fred's family is better than me.
I will miss Fred genuinely. Again, not because we agreed on theology or handling critical situations, because we didn't agree. I will miss him because of his consistency of being there and involved. Because he cared that whomever entered our church doors, they would be see a warm and smiling face. His life has inspired me to put aside the personal stuff and get on with God's business. The business of reaching out and bringing in.
I have prayed forgiveness for myself for any negative thoughts or participation in any negative talk about Fred. He is a man created in God's image. God loved him and sent His son for Fred. I choose to believe there could of been opportunity before Fred was pronounced dead, where Fred met an awesome, just and fair God. I believe God held Fred accountable and He gave Fred beautiful GRACE. Praise God for mercy and grace!
Thank you Fred for your life. It has not gone wasted on me. I am learning and I am believing in a God who will show me how fragile life is and for what I will be accountable for....every idle word out of my mouth...out of my heart. I will miss you and your cowboy hat!
I am thankful for the last time I saw him and he gave me his strong warm hand and greeted me with a smile. This was the norm for Fred. Through it all, meaning some tumultous times in our church, Fred kept his smile. He took on the roll of greeting members when they entered and left services. I didn't always appreciate it because I had such doubts of his sincerity. I remember soon after our preacher left the church and my heart was heavy. Fred came to me. I had just returned from Jamaica. He welcomed me back home and hugged me. I am glad now I returned the hug, but then I was suspious.
I am not saying that Fred didn't have sin or needed forgiveness, but I will say regardless of his burdens, he kept true to his word in his desire to serve. No matter what his motives, he remained integral in his demeanor. He greeted and he smiled. Who am I to deny the man his convictions, even if we didn't agree? The Word says we are not to judge. I will not cast the first stone.
Fred has a wife who plays our grand piano at our church. She is known for her mini recitals durng the offering. She is currently battling cancer. She is fragile and now, overwhelmed in grief for this unexpected death of her husband. When Fred would request pray for his wife, tears would fill his eyes. He loved his wife. Fred has adult daughters as well. I am not sure of any sons. His daughters are very pretty and talented. I imagine they are devasted. Times like these you want to reach out, but what does one do? When do you hold back and pray? When do you call and offer support? This ettiquette I do not know. I do know that I am so sorry for what they are going through. I am a wife and I have children. I CAN imagine what a sudden death would do to this family. I don't like the sadness and ache in my heart. What I can't imagine is finding comfort in the reality of Kevin being in a better place. I would want him with me! Selfish? yes! Maybe Fred's family is better than me.
I will miss Fred genuinely. Again, not because we agreed on theology or handling critical situations, because we didn't agree. I will miss him because of his consistency of being there and involved. Because he cared that whomever entered our church doors, they would be see a warm and smiling face. His life has inspired me to put aside the personal stuff and get on with God's business. The business of reaching out and bringing in.
I have prayed forgiveness for myself for any negative thoughts or participation in any negative talk about Fred. He is a man created in God's image. God loved him and sent His son for Fred. I choose to believe there could of been opportunity before Fred was pronounced dead, where Fred met an awesome, just and fair God. I believe God held Fred accountable and He gave Fred beautiful GRACE. Praise God for mercy and grace!
There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear
There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace
Only Grace Lyrics
Artist(Band):Matthew West
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear
There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace
Only Grace Lyrics
Artist(Band):Matthew West
Thank you Fred for your life. It has not gone wasted on me. I am learning and I am believing in a God who will show me how fragile life is and for what I will be accountable for....every idle word out of my mouth...out of my heart. I will miss you and your cowboy hat!
3 comments:
AMEN, very well said. thank you Anna.
love ya
Anna, God touched me through your words today! Love ya girl, Ree
I was Blessed by this post dear Amna. Maybe you can be the greeter at your church now. You have a terrifc smile and a warm heart.This is so important in all churches to make visitors welcome.Thats a mission in it's self.
Love ya. Lisa
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