2 Corinthians 1:3-4 … Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
On New Year’s Day, we received word that Tonya’s brother had been found dead in his apartment. Needless to say, we were stunned. Tonya went to be with her parents early in the week and the girls and I followed on Friday. His funeral was on Saturday.
I have done nearly one hundred funerals in my lifetime. No funeral is easy because you are straddling the fence between life and death. Besides my mom and dad’s funerals, this was the next hardest funeral I’ve ever had to do. When it was over, it felt like I had just finished preaching twelve sermons back-to-back.
The week leading up to the funeral was a week of reflection. Tony died young — only 46 years old. Life is short, unpredictable. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
You might be in your twenties and feel invincible. You might be in your forties and think you’re at half-time. The truth is, today is the day the Lord has made and tomorrow will be a blessing bestowed by Him. Are you living life on purpose? Are you living like your hair is on fire? That’s my way of saying, are you living with a sense of urgency?
Make every moment count. Love your loved ones. Live well.
May God’s peace and favor rest on you.