Sunday I had the privilege as the youngest staff member in the church to offer the wedding vows for all those who wanted to renew their vows on Valentine's Day. It was a rare and special occasion as many couples who signed up and some that didn't joined us at the front to renew their vows in marriage to one another. It was so full of joy. My wife also got to participate with me and it was a great learning experience as well as a blessing to be a part of.
That evening I was on my way to pick up one of my teens who lived at the other end of town from most of my teens, so naturally I thought to pick him up first so that everyone doesn't have to ride past the church to get him. Plus I like to catch up with him while en route to get the others.
Upon my arrival I noticed there was a police car and an ambulance in front of his house. One of his friends who was with him called me out back and explained that his brother had just found his mom in bed and she hadn't been breathing for some time. Only minutes after speaking with her did he come out from talking with the police. He looked at me as he started to fall apart and barely was able to utter, "My mom's dead".
It took all I had not to cry with him because I knew his mom, she had some real issues. Through all of this, and the sadness of the funeral, I have been able to share Christ with him, his brother, his adopted mother and brother, and many other people surrounding them numerous times. I have no doubt that we have put Christ in their ears and left sticky notes on their hearts, but I can't help myself for also feeling some grief. I guess when you become family with people at church, when they hurt, you hurt. That's what's so wonderful about the family of God is that we can all be there and no one has to face death and grief on their own.
By the way, they never actually formally asked me to speak, but there was nothing formal about this arrangement. So in a sense my first funeral was a surprise funeral.
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