Loss of a Loved One.

I realize it has been a while since my last post, but a lot has been going on and I have been contemplating how to share it all. As you know in a previous post I mentioned that my dad was in the hospital over Christmas, but what I have not yet blogged about is that right after my dad was released from the hospital my grandpa went in. Now, it is never good when someone goes into the hospital, but to make a long story short my grandpa was showing some positive signs (from what my wife and I heard anyway) of recovery (i.e. he was eating and didn't need a breathing tube as originally thought), so my wife and I didn't make it an immediate priority to go visit him at the hospital since that is where were have been spending most of our time from my dad being there. Well, a day finally was coming where it would work for me to visit him over my lunch hour and during my morning devotional time I was reading out of Acts Chapter 4 and I planned on reading that Chapter to him and talking about how it applied to us today and share Jesus with him for he hadn't yet repented and trusted Jesus from what I knew. Then, as I was pulling out of my driveway to go to work my mom called and mentioned that my grandpa in hospital (her dad) passed away in the morning. I pulled the car over. So much for sharing the gospel and God's word with my grandpa that day. It wasn't going to happen. Thankfully, I had an opportunity two Christmas's ago where I gave a very clear gospel presentation (see good person test on this page) to him and my grandma, so I knew he had at least heard about repenting and trusting in Jesus as his Savior. Boy, I can't image how I would have felt if I had not shared Jesus with him at an earlier date. I know I would have felt horrible.

Onto the funeral or the celebration of life as they called it. The event was held at a nice restaurant/bar where appetizers would start to be served at 5:00pm with a short ceremony at 7:00pm to follow. Now, I thought that was weird to have it at a restaurant/bar (although, at least he was cremated, so it wasn't like a casket with a dead guy in it was brought through the restaurant) and I also felt it was a bit sad. I mean, who when thinking about their funeral celebration expects it to occur at a restaurant/bar with people having drinks and socializing. It just seemed weird. I just thought the entire concept lacked hope. Well the time eventually came for the celebration. The food was actually good, but it was weird to eat right away with some people crying. Overall, the conversations were good, but people were walking around with drinks in hand. That also seemed weird. The time came for the short service. Thankfully I knew the minister who would share the message and I knew he knew Jesus Christ and would share appropriately. What I didn't expect was to be called out in front of everyone to share something about my grandpa. I hadn't planned anything to say or share about my grandpa, but I went upfront to the podium because I thought that was what God wanted me to do. After sharing a little bit about my grandpa's personality and hobbies, I proceeded to share with everyone what my plan was for that morning I found out my grandpa had died. I stated I was going to visit my grandpa during lunch that day and then I mentioned that the message I was planning to share with him, I guess I was supposed to share with all of you. I then proceeded to share my testimony of trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior, then I pleaded with them to do the same and not waiting to make the decision for Christ, for no one is guaranteed tomorrow. I urged them to trust Christ today...tonight! I will say that after that service was over and the hope of Jesus Christ was clearly proclaimed that the presence of Jesus was at that place. It was an amazing feeling. Jesus was meeting people were they were at. Then I thought...what if I had kept my mouth shut. Would that light of Jesus then be present in that dark place? What if, when asked to share something, I stated I had nothing to say? What if I kept my mouth shut, who then would tell them about Jesus? Would I just count on those present having a chance to hear about a future hope of eternal life in Jesus some other time or by someone else? What if that night was their last night to hear about Jesus? Thankfully, I didn't keep my mouth shut and did share the amazing hope found in Jesus Christ, who went to cross to die for my sins and for you. Would you have done the same? Would you have kept your mouth shut? We must always be ready to share the hope that we have in Jesus. I encourage you to be ready. No matter the situation, be ready! Remember, no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

"Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:5-6

"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." James 4:14