Well, yesterday I started my journal enjoy by saying, “Oh what a night!”  This entry will start with the saying…“Oh what a day!”
When I woke up this morning God put the song in my mind, “I got on my knees and cried Holy. Holy is His name.”  So I turned onto my knees right there in bed, plowed my face into the pillow, and did just that.  I cried out to Jesus.  Praying for the day, for loved ones, and just simply whispered, “Jesus”.  (There is power in that name!)
This was the day that I attended three loved ones’  funerals.  (Yes, three separate Life Celebrations, three different times.)
When Tim was getting ready to be a pallbearer at our lifelong friend’s funeral, I gave him something that I had given him once before.  Last year, a little while after his precious mother passed away, I gave him a little rock with the word “faith” imprinted on it.  I had given it to him because he displayed such great faith through that season of his life.  Today when I handed it to Tim, I reminded him of the man of faith he is, told him to keep it in his pocket to hold on to when needed, and said, “I’m so grateful that we have The True Rock to really hold on to through these times.”
1 Samuel 2:2 says, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”  Amen!
I am grateful that we had The Rock to hold on to today, because the emotions were all over the board. 
First stop:  I sat down beside one of my best friends, Shanon, and held on to her hand. When people spoke of Doug Gibbs, they talked about how he never met a stranger.  Everyone who came in contact him quickly became a friend of “The Gibber”.   He had a charisma about him that drew others towards him. 
He was a loyal friend who was always there when you needed him.  Tonight I was speaking with the love of his life, Carole, and she mentioned how Doug never (NEVER) put his phone on silence because he wanted to be there if anyone needed him. 
There were many precious stories shared about Gibber.  We cried and we laughed.  I was so appreciative of the eloquent words the four presenters (Randy, Lee, Billy, and Tommy) shared with the congregation and the songs that were sung.  Listening to the words being said was easy, but when I would glance down to see the portrait of Doug, I’d lose it.  Hearing the messages were not a problem (well, maybe a little), but knowing the “why” I was there just didn’t (and still doesn’t) seem real.  I’ll see you again one day Doug.  Get busy preparing a great feast for us.
Second stop:  I was so proud of my sister-in-law, Jan, as she passionately talked about her mother.  My stoic Jan was very fragile.  I finally saw her break into tears and I just wanted to run and hold her.  As she reminisced about her momma, you could see the love and great pride she has in being a legacy of a woman of such servant-hood and love for life.
My brother, Mike, spoke fondly of his mother-in-law (maw).  He’d share stories of the humble beginnings of his in-laws’ lives and the wise choices they both made for themselves and their family.  Mike spoke of the dedication that Mrs. Jean had towards her husband, family, and her Savior.
Third stop:  Even though there was a 34 year age difference between Doug and uncle Virgil, I felt that I had come full circle with my Life Celebration services.  The characteristics between these two men were similar in many ways.  As the four presenters (Monty, Kim, Jacob, and Hunter) spoke on uncle Virgil’s loyalties, passions, and the quality to never meet a stranger, I was holding on to my aunt Carol’s hand. 
Virgil (really my second cousin I just called uncle) was loyal to his University of Florida Gators, friends, family, and God.  Stories were told and lives were challenged to step up and be a friend to all, and to be more like our Heavenly Father.
Each service was a definite “Life Celebration” for Doug, Mrs. Jean, and uncle (cousin) Virgil.  Even though each individual had very different personalities, the one thing they all had in common was that they each love Jesus, are now sitting at His feet, and desired for everyone to join them one day in Heaven.
The plan of salvation  was shared at each service.  I pray that lives will be changed and hearts turned over to Jesus.  May you each discover Jesus to hold on to. I hope that everyone will be in heaven one day with us and not get left behind. (Now THAT would just be downright sad if you won’t be joining all of us in heaven.)
Remember how I said that God put the song in my mind, “I got on my knees and cried Holy. Holy is His name.”?  WELL, at my final funeral service guess what song was sung?  Yep!  The one the God had put on my heart this morning.  God is so cool! So not only had I felt like I came full circle with the three Life Celebrations, but with my entire day.  Holy IS the Lord Almighty. Isaiah 6:3 confirms, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
I pray God’s abundant love and blessings for y’all.

Share with others: