Funeral thoughts
Earlier this week I attended the funeral for my friend's brother-in-law. Michael was a 26-year-old police officer who was killed in the line of duty. The procession or motorcade was two vehicles wide and seven miles long. Ted and I waited 25 minutes before we could even get in. Police officers were in front of us and behind us, which I found thrilling and Ted found a tad disconcerting.
Michael was 26 when he was killed by a 19-year-old. It's so sad. I've cried my eyes out over this death. But I know that God is sovereign. I take great delight in that fact.
At the memorial service, the pastor who knew Michael, shared the good news of Jesus Christ with all 3,000 attendees.
Michael was given a 21-gun salute, and Vicki (his widow) released doves in his honor. I felt proud to be an American, proud that we honor those who protect and serve us in such a way, and proud of Michael, my brother in Christ.
We later found out that several people accepted Christ at the memorial, including a commander. One man was planning to leave his wife and four children and take another law-enforcement job. Instead, he told Michael's family that he decided to stay with them.
I know Michael's death seems senseless to most. But his earthly death caused hundreds of law-enforcement officers and thousands of others to hear the gospel in a dynamic way. Some accepted Christ. I don't know how anyone there couldn't dedicate their life to following Him as a result. I know that I decided that I want to live more fully for the Lord. One earthly life gone, hundreds more born into eternity. Amen and amen. Though, it is still difficult that his life was taken so swiftly.
Poor Vicki—she has to go home at some point and see Mike's aftershave on the counter. Or find his book lying open in the middle of a chapter. Or find his shoes haphazardly tossed into the closet. That would be rough. She has to throw away and give away a bunch of his things. And she never gets to tell him about her turmoil. Never gets to wake up next to him again.
It's hard, because a lot of our new siblings in Christ would never have accepted Him if not for Michael's passing. However, we trust the sovereignty of God. Praise be the Lord who gives and takes away.
Michael was 26 when he was killed by a 19-year-old. It's so sad. I've cried my eyes out over this death. But I know that God is sovereign. I take great delight in that fact.
At the memorial service, the pastor who knew Michael, shared the good news of Jesus Christ with all 3,000 attendees.
Michael was given a 21-gun salute, and Vicki (his widow) released doves in his honor. I felt proud to be an American, proud that we honor those who protect and serve us in such a way, and proud of Michael, my brother in Christ.
We later found out that several people accepted Christ at the memorial, including a commander. One man was planning to leave his wife and four children and take another law-enforcement job. Instead, he told Michael's family that he decided to stay with them.
I know Michael's death seems senseless to most. But his earthly death caused hundreds of law-enforcement officers and thousands of others to hear the gospel in a dynamic way. Some accepted Christ. I don't know how anyone there couldn't dedicate their life to following Him as a result. I know that I decided that I want to live more fully for the Lord. One earthly life gone, hundreds more born into eternity. Amen and amen. Though, it is still difficult that his life was taken so swiftly.
Poor Vicki—she has to go home at some point and see Mike's aftershave on the counter. Or find his book lying open in the middle of a chapter. Or find his shoes haphazardly tossed into the closet. That would be rough. She has to throw away and give away a bunch of his things. And she never gets to tell him about her turmoil. Never gets to wake up next to him again.
It's hard, because a lot of our new siblings in Christ would never have accepted Him if not for Michael's passing. However, we trust the sovereignty of God. Praise be the Lord who gives and takes away.
posted by Jennifer at 11:08 AM
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