Last week was an usual week. I conducted three funerals. I don’t think I have ever had that many funerals in the space of a week in my ministry. Three wonderful guys. Two of them were in their 90's and one in his late 60's. But all three were deeply loved by their family and friends, and will be missed.
I think the most difficult part of my job is doing a funeral. But yet it could very well be one of the most important things about being a pastor. Each time I do one, I pray for God’s grace and mercy to show through me and through the funeral service. Above all, I pray for God’s peace for the grieving family because the peace of God makes all the difference in the world.
The book of Ecclesiastes affirms: “There is a time to be born and a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:2) While I know that is true, it doesn’t make it any easier.
One of my all-time favorite movies is “Forrest Gump.” It came out in 1994 and won Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. What a great film! Towards the end of the movie, Forrest visited the grave of his close friend, Jenny, who he loved so much.
Forrest stood at her grave and with tears in his eyes said, “Mamma always said, ‘Dying was a part of life.’ But I wish it wasn’t.”
I feel the same way, Forrest, I really do.