Earlier this evening I want to a visitation at a local funeral home. Tomorrow is a funeral for a young man who died before reaching 30 years old. As is usual when somebody that young dies, I was shocked when I heard the news over the weekend. I admit that I cried a bit when I first heard the news, then again today at the funeral home. I really don't cry very often anymore, but to think of the pain of the family members and close friends, not to mention the pain and turmoil that I suspect led to this unfortunate death, I was indeed brought to tears.
This young man was a wonderful and always smiling kid. He was from a beautiful Catholic family; one brother is a Catholic priest. I can't claim to have known any of them real well, though I did know John and his parents through church. As a matter of fact, John was in my religious ed class back when he was in 8th and 9th grades. He and his parents have always been more friendly to me than I could expect them to be, and I suspect they were like that with everybody. I shared big hugs with his parents, and of course, I had no idea if anything I would say would be the right things to say. I can only imagine their grief. His mom did say to me that they know that John is finally with God and that John is giving them the strength they need to deal with their loss.
When I got home and was eating dinner, an ESPN show told me the story of former football player Randall Cunningham and the loss of his two year old son to an accidental death. Cunningham is now a minister, and he said that he thanked God for the 2 1/2 years that he and his wife were able to spend with their son, whose name was Christian. God gave Randall Cunningham the strength and love to have such a wonderful perspective.
I know God gives us all the strength we need to deal with everything that life brings us, but strength of heart certainly cannot be measured until we really need it. I pray that God can continue to help bring peace to the hearts of all the lonely people, the people who lose their loved ones, to those who wonder why they suffer, and to those who doubt their own value. Our Lord did put us on this earth together with others, so that we can share His love and thus multiply our strength in the comfort and support of each other.
This young man was a wonderful and always smiling kid. He was from a beautiful Catholic family; one brother is a Catholic priest. I can't claim to have known any of them real well, though I did know John and his parents through church. As a matter of fact, John was in my religious ed class back when he was in 8th and 9th grades. He and his parents have always been more friendly to me than I could expect them to be, and I suspect they were like that with everybody. I shared big hugs with his parents, and of course, I had no idea if anything I would say would be the right things to say. I can only imagine their grief. His mom did say to me that they know that John is finally with God and that John is giving them the strength they need to deal with their loss.
When I got home and was eating dinner, an ESPN show told me the story of former football player Randall Cunningham and the loss of his two year old son to an accidental death. Cunningham is now a minister, and he said that he thanked God for the 2 1/2 years that he and his wife were able to spend with their son, whose name was Christian. God gave Randall Cunningham the strength and love to have such a wonderful perspective.
I know God gives us all the strength we need to deal with everything that life brings us, but strength of heart certainly cannot be measured until we really need it. I pray that God can continue to help bring peace to the hearts of all the lonely people, the people who lose their loved ones, to those who wonder why they suffer, and to those who doubt their own value. Our Lord did put us on this earth together with others, so that we can share His love and thus multiply our strength in the comfort and support of each other.
This is very nicely written, and a nice message.
ReplyDeleteHi Gordie, just read this, Loves, Jeanette
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