Almost every funeral I have attended in my life has been wrought with much excrutiating pain and awful suffering. The attendees are heartbroken for their "loss", and the gutwrenching anguish they exhibit makes you wonder if they can survive 1 more day of life, as their condition appears terminal. Statements like, "how will we go on", and "I can't live without her" abound. In Satan's evil age this is the norm, as the unsaved have no "hope", even at the thought of death.
My family just attended Mary Kirkwood's funeral last night, and witnessed and enjoyed the exact opposite! Smiling faces, old friends and acquintances reunited, joy and love everywhere, as the attendees there overflowed with love. Not only that, but my wife Cheryl and I actually felt blessed by the whole event. Why? Everyone we knew who attended was in the same family, the family of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It actually seemed like a "family reunion"!
Then, John Kirkwood took the pulpit, and not only spoke about events Mary & her family experienced, as is done at most funerals, but his message hammered home in a wonderful way the love Mary had for "The Lord's Work", and the importance of Christ as the central purpose for life itself. I pray daily I would have the desire for service to The Master as the Kirkwood's have had for so many years. This message, capped off by 2 outstanding musical performances, and the fellowship of so many saints, made this funeral a true blessing and reason for every believer in Christ to rejoice as we await our coming redemption.
Thank you for such an uplifting event, especially in light of what could have been under the circumstances. We will treasure Mary's service, and look forward to seeing her again...
1Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting, o grave, where is thy victory?