Harold or Hurl, as I called him, or Luck as my Dad did, was one of those fixtures that I remember seeing all the time but he was always doing something. The last time I saw him was at Aunt Patricia's house, having breakfast with my Dad.

If you had told me then that we would be here 2 years later I would not have believed you. At times like these we tend to go into autopilot. With so many things to do, things to get done, and the uncomfortable feelings that we want to avoid we allow the cliches to take over.

They are found in the words that we speak in moments like this.

• I am so sorry

• You have my condolences

• I am here for you if you need anything

• Let me know how I can help

Many words of comfort that are tossed out so much that they become cliche. Like a reflex, we say them without much thought.

For those that grieve, we accept them without really taking the time to understand what it is that is being offered.

Help.

That is what is needed so desperately in moments like this. Help!

• Strong arms of support

• Shoulders to cry on

• Soft hearts that share our losses

• Silent moments that are filled with connection

• Sounding boards to absorb the pain and returns love and wisdom

The book of Proverbs is called the Book of Wisdom. What wisdom does God speak in moments like this. In Chapter 18 verse 10 is give us this,

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe (Pr 18:10 ESV).

The tower of the Lord is where we find shelter in the midst of the storm. This is where we hunker down in the rough times. It is the staging ground that we prepare to venture out once the storm ends. It is a marker that we use to make sure that we traveling in the right direction. In Psalm 61:2b-4 we read this,

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of his wings! Selah (Ps 61:2–4 ESV).

Again we are reminded to take refuge in the tower of the Lord. To get to higher ground to get a better view of where you find yourself. I know I keep going back to the same idea but I promise I am going somewhere. I promise.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Ps 18:2 ESV).

Psalm 18:2 also shows the Lord as a fortress but it also reveals him as deliverer. Not just a stationary point but an active one. Not only does He shield us in the storm He has power to be heard in the midst of it.

Now what does all of this scripture mean for all of us gathered here? There are some of us here that need to find the peace and safety found in the tower of God. There are those that need direction as we begin to forge ahead in uncertain times without our familiar markers. There are those who need to be invited back to the tower to learn of what God has done.

In all of that we are called to be the hands and feet of God. Where hands can reach out and touch we need to do it. We need to slow down in these moments and hear what is being said. If there are any words of comfort I can give to my family it is to know that God is here for you and so am I.

We discussed how not only is God everywhere but he is with us in the moment.  Now to look at how this works itself out in our life.  Let's take a look at this exchange between Jesus and his disciples.

1 John 13:31-38When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.  “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! This passage, while starting at the beginning of a chapter, is actually the continuation of a discussion between Jesus and his disciples.  In the previous chapter Jesus had just admonished Proud Peter who boasted how he would lay down his life for Jesus.  Not only would he fail to stay with Jesus, by the time the rooster finished crowing he would deny Christ 3 times.  I am sure that during this discussion there was some disappointment and sadness.  I mean Jesus was telling them that he was leaving and that they would be unable to follow.  They had followed Him for 3 years.  They had lived with Him, walked with Him, had witnessed his miracles.  They had left father, mother, businesses to follow Him.  What did He mean?  But Jesus is not the author of confusion, He brings hope to those who are hurting.1 John 14:1-6“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Jesus lets them know that He going to prepare a place for them. He assures them that He is also going to be coming back for them. Then Thomas comes up with a question.  Thomas, who we call the Doubter, asks the best questions. The thing that I love about Thomas is that his life illustrates that we CAN ask questions and that He DOES answer.  But what does that answer mean?Jesus, in two sentences, removes all the confusion from salvation.  It is right here where the hope lies.  It is right here where we can cling and be comforted that He will come again.  It is right here where our troubled hearts are calmed.  Aunt Irene knew this and it brought peace.  She wanted all of you to know this as well.  In the end she had one more lesson for all of her students.  In the end she had one more thing to share with her friends.  In the end she had one last thing to get across.  Aunt Irene died at home in her own room knowing, not only had a place had been prepared for her, but that he Savior would be coming to receive her.I stand here today, her nephew, praying that her final lesson lands and that the hope that she had would be your as well.God's Man

Once my mother and I had gathered my daughter my Dad and I left to go to the house to be with the family that was quickly gathering there. As a family we prayed along with her Pastor. I was being stoic. Trying to be there for everyone. Be Strong. Then my cousin came to me and said that my Aunt wanted me to give the eulogy.

After saying that I would I was caught in a wave of emotion and began to cry. As I sat outside of Aunt Irene's bedroom in the sitting room I cried because I couldn't believe that she was gone. As the night went on she asked me to prepare a video to be shown at the viewing and funeral. I thought I would share the video and my notes for her eulogy.

The thing about life is that God is in all of it. There is not one part of life where God is not present. The question is do you GET it? Do you see that He is there?

Irene Butler Hebron
January 5, 1927 - February 23, 2012

Aunt Irene was an amazing woman.  She was an important part of my life growing up.  The part that stands out to me the most was the time that I spent with her in the Drama Club at St. Mark's UMC.  From 6 to 17 I was in every Easter, Christmas and Dinner Theater Play.  Aunt Irene was always there, even when we thought she wasn't.  Even when we thought she was paying attention to something else.  Even when we really did want to be there.  That was who she was.  She had a heart for those under her care.  That goes for all of us gather here today.  At some point in our lives we were all touched by her.  Whether you grew up with her in that old house, or you knew her from school; whether you were one of her many students, or one of her friends, she impacted you in some way.  Even when you weren't around she was probably thinking about you in some way.

This is what we are called to as we navigate life with God.  We are a family, whether by blood or faith, we walk through this life together.  Stating this is the perfect lead in to the scriptures that we will look at as we celebrate the life of Aunt Irene.  The first is the 23rd Psalm.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Probably one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible.  It is an awesome testimony that points to God as an ever-present part of our lives.  Everything in this passage shows God as someone who is there with you in the day to day.  He is personal.  Look at how David claims relationship with God.

My Shepherd...
Makes me...
Leads me...
Guides me...
You are with me...

God is there at the 50K foot level but He is also there in the minutest of details.  That is what is evident here and in the life of Aunt Irene.  In the next post I will look at the hope that she had as we examine John 14:1-6.

God's Man

Today we are here to celebrate the ascent of one of our own David Eldridge. While I am sad at his passing, I am glad to know that Uncle Dave knew where he was going. He knew what Jesus described in John 14:1-4:

1. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.2. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus made a place for Uncle Dave just as he has made a place for all of us.

When Cheryl asked me to give these words this morning I was embarrassed because I remembered Uncle Dave from my childhood but not as an adult. As I sought God out I asked Him what words of comfort I could give. He told me to share what I learned with you. You have another moment to love, another moment to share, another moment to embrace, and another moment to learn. There are those in your life that you only have a passing relationship with. Reach out and touch them. God’s purpose is that we be a family and that we love one another. Cherish your memories but always be creating new ones.

If you don’t know what to say or feel that it has been too long to reconnect. Nothing is impossible to Him, who created the heavens and the earth. Remember what Uncle Dave knew from Psalms 121:

1. I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?
2. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. In this time of mourning seek Him out through loving His children. He loves you so you can love others. And you’ll be comforted by His smile beaming down on you. Be love Today.

-God's Man