Missing Him
January 30, 2024
My father passed away a few weeks ago. He was almost 91 years old. He was born on the farm, worked his whole life on the farm, and died quite suddenly on that same farm. He was a fixture in his community and a craftsman. His woodwork - making toys and restoring furniture - was well known. Many, including me, benefited from the high standard he set for himself in his work, and his super low prices. Over and over again his friends and neighbors talked of how kind and dependable he was. They said they would miss him a lot. The following are the words that I shared at his funeral.
First, I want to thank everyone for the caring actions and the kind words these past few days. It is clear that my mom and dad have made a significant impact for good in this community. I hope to leave such a legacy as they have when it is my turn to go home to the Lord.
Many adopted Mom and Dad as honorary parents and grandparents, and you made a wise choice to select such kind people to be in your hearts. It was a blessing to Mom and Dad all these years to have this extended family, as their own children scattered to the winds. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking them into your hearts. I would like to share a passage from the Bible that is edifying at these times. As Christians, we have salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. That salvation includes eternal life with God in heaven. This passage is from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (MEV).
13 But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
As I was praying the morning after I heard that Dad died, I was thinking about Dad in heaven. In my mind’s eye, I saw him as a young man and my sister, Ruth, who passed away many, many years ago. Ruth was a young girl. They were dancing and laughing, and he was twirling her around. They were full of joy. I had no doubt that Dad is in a place where he is joyfully reunited in spirit with his family and friends who have gone before him.
We will miss Dad. As I look around at you, you who saw and interacted with him on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, you will miss him just as often as we will. I want to extend my condolences to you who will drive by the farm and not see him at the mailbox, will not see him in his usual place in the choir, will no longer laugh with him at a church supper, and never again see him surrounded by his wooden toys at the church breakfast. You will miss him, too. But, we have hope! We can comfort one another. We know that we will be caught up together with Dad and with all who now sleep in Jesus. We will meet him again in the clouds at the coming of Jesus. Amen.