Holly has wanted me to watch the movie “The Fault in Our Stars” with her for about a month now. So, yesterday afternoon we finally sat down and watched and cried through it together.  In the movie there was a quote that went something like this, “Funerals are not for the dead, but for the living.”  I agree.
Saturday morning I attended yet another funeral for a dear family member. It’s sad when you walk through the doors and a funeral employee looks at you and says, “You look so familiar.”  I told him my name, and I could tell that it wasn’t ringing a bell.  So I said, “Well, I have frequented here about six times this past year.”
Heaven gained a precious lady this past week. My cousin, Jimmy Barton, lost the love of his life, for the past 44 years, to diabetes.
I have known Brenda Newsome-Barton my entire life. She was always a soft-spoken, tender-hearted, and just a sweet lady. As I watched the video of memories of her life, I could see Brenda’s genuineness.  One could see her servant’s heart through her grin.  Seeing my relatives that are already with Jesus (Grandma Hunter, Aunt Clara, Uncle Elroy,…Ahhh, precious memories!) were such a lovely bonus.
The “Celebration of Life” service was definitely one for the living.  I told the pastor, Reverend Marc Mashburn from Bethany Baptist Church, after he officiated the service, that he did a beautiful job and that I felt like I had just attended a marriage conference.
His presentation was heartfelt. He spoke about the love between Jimmy and Brenda.  Rev. Mashburn mentioned how he very rarely sees a marriage which exemplifies Christ’ marriage to the church as beautiful as their marriage.  He went on giving beautiful illustrations of Jimmy and Brenda’s marriage.  The trust, sacrifice, and love between the two of them were evident.
I walked away from that service with tears in my eyes and with a sense of renewal for my own marriage.

• “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

• “Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.  And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” Revelation 19:7-9

 
Does your marriage need a sense of renewal? Are you ready for The Groom (Christ) to come?  I pray that you will have a sense of rejuvenation and urgency for both marriages, earth and heaven.
Please pray for Jimmy and their daughter, Staci, as the coming days and months can be difficult. They know that Brenda is in no pain and that they will see her again, and they know that God will give them strength and peace I the coming days, but there will still be sadness as they long for a wife/mother’s touch and conversation.
I pray God’s abundant love and blessings for y’all.

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