Manage the service.
It was a funeral service.
It was for my niece, Miranda, his wife.
She was well acquainted with
Suffering, but to the very end she
Embraced God's promises.
She clung to Isaiah 43:2 and shared it
With her family: "When you pass through the
Waters I will be with you and through the
Rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when
You walk through the fire you shall not be
Burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
(Beside the passage in my Bible I wrote,
"Miranda's verse.")
Her husband WAS able to conduct the service.
Wilson spoke comfort to us through his
Sorrow.
"We must expect suffering," he said. "It is
Inevitable. And we must allow ourselves to
Grieve to the fullest extent, but not without
Hope. We must rub God's hope into our
Grief. Rub it deep deep down till it permeates
Our pain. And we will be wiser for it."
The pastor added, "I didn't plan to share this,
But I have 3 tumors on my spine. I can learn
From Miranda how to suffer well."
I pray that God will spare Wilson for his
Three daughters.
I couldn't attend the funeral in person, but
I watched it online.
My soul was stirred.
I grieve with my loved ones.
I pray they will be able to rub hope's
Salve deep, deep, deep into their
Hurting hearts, and discover in the
Process that they are wiser for it.