Funeral--very very sad
Today, I did the hardest funeral I have done in my 36 years in the ministry. A young 23 year old boy took his own life. He came from a well to do family, he had many many friends, a beautiful fiance and yet, he ended his life.
His fiance's dad and I worked together years ago. I knew this young man's mother, his grandad, and his uncle, as well as many of his cousins.
This was the second suicide funeral I had done this week. It was all I could do to compose myself. Inside his casket was his Cardinals baseball cap, His Chicago Bears cap. a ring someone gave him, a dolphin necklace in his hands, etc.
Most of his family, have little or not religious affiliation at all. This is what bothered me the most. I did not personally know this young man. He had came along after I had left this area 35 years ago but, due to the family knowing I was back here now, and a Pastor, they asked me to do this funeral.
I related my own sorrow, of losing my own son and I preached Jesus, His love for mankind and, the comfort that He gives, when we know Him as our Savior.
My services do not end, at the cemetery. I always inform families that if they need to talk to me, ask questions, or whatever in the days and weeks to come, to contact me.
I felt the Lord's presence with me today as I preached the funeral message and I once again, did it in His power and strength, not my own.
His fiance's dad and I worked together years ago. I knew this young man's mother, his grandad, and his uncle, as well as many of his cousins.
This was the second suicide funeral I had done this week. It was all I could do to compose myself. Inside his casket was his Cardinals baseball cap, His Chicago Bears cap. a ring someone gave him, a dolphin necklace in his hands, etc.
Most of his family, have little or not religious affiliation at all. This is what bothered me the most. I did not personally know this young man. He had came along after I had left this area 35 years ago but, due to the family knowing I was back here now, and a Pastor, they asked me to do this funeral.
I related my own sorrow, of losing my own son and I preached Jesus, His love for mankind and, the comfort that He gives, when we know Him as our Savior.
My services do not end, at the cemetery. I always inform families that if they need to talk to me, ask questions, or whatever in the days and weeks to come, to contact me.
I felt the Lord's presence with me today as I preached the funeral message and I once again, did it in His power and strength, not my own.
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