After work tonight I’m going with my parents to the viewing for Doug Gripp who died tragically when a gas grill exploded. He was cooking for a men’s group at Grace Community Church when the accident happened. Doug was a classmate of my sister in high school at Westfield. His sister Kim was in my class. I remember being over to their house a lot when I was growing up. We were all in youth group together at church too.
I can’t say that I knew Doug well but I’m going tonight to support his family. This is the 3rd funeral in 3 months that I either attended or went to the viewing. I have a friend from our previous church who is burying his wife tomorrow evening too. I’m not going to be able to go to the funeral since Tim and I will be out of town but I know that my parents will go. You know you’re getting older when you attend more funerals than weddings. It has been overwhelming. Three of those who died were much too young to go yet-all in their 50’s. My previous business partner, Dr. Mouser was the only one who lived a long life. He was 81.
We don’t know how much time we will have in our life here. I have often said that I will probably live to be very old since I have 2 grandmothers who lived into their 90’s and a great, great grandmother who lived to 103! But I don’t know this. I have good genes for sure but crazy accidents like happened to Doug occur all the time.
When the days God has appointed for me are up then I will go to be with Him. Most of the time I want to stay here a little longer but there are days I long for heaven. I want to see Jesus face to face and just give Him a hug! I have had a good life but life is not easy for anyone. Jesus didn’t promise that it would be easy but promised that He would be with us always to the end of the earth. I know that He walks with me in His Spirit. He gives me the “God nudges” I wrote about yesterday. I heard Doug’s pastor quote Pastor Phelps of Indianapolis who lost his son, daughter-in-law and unborn grandchild in a bus accident earlier this summer. He said, “Grace is sufficient but it’s not an anesthetic.” This really resonated with me. No, we are not numb to pain but grace strengthens us to endure. Sometimes Jesus must carry us to get through.
Suzanne
I am so with you on this post. For me it started in 2005 w the loss of my beloved prayer partner who was 94. She died on Christmas Eve and the last thing she said was, “I’ll be celebrating Christmas w Jesus!” In 2008 my mom died after a 40 yr. battle w Chrohns – she was 70 but had been bedridden for the last 6 yrs of her life. In 2010 – Emily 90 yrs old died. She was our beloved “mammy” who cared for my children so I could be in ministry. Then in Jan 2012 my dad – 75 yrs. died after a battle w Parkinson’s. he was my best friend, biggest cheerleader, spiritual equal, and a theologian in his own right.
Like you, then in June, 2013, Brenda , only 57 ended a battle w cancer. I found myself in a deep season of grief that started at Christmas time and went through July. It was very overwhelming. I could have used a few more births or weddings myself!!
But in the midst of all of this, God is faithful. He continues to pick us up and “nudge” us to the next thing He has for us to do.