God Alone | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: God Alone | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nancy Sullivan
10/10/24
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The recent passing of a young husband and father of three was an injury to the hearts of many in our small congregation. An ongoing battle of health problems could not be won by earthly measures. He was in his very early 40’s.

His memorial service was held in our church. The expected large crowd meant a needed overflow room, connected by closed circuit TV. Every chair in the main sanctuary was filled.

As we entered, his young wife was just inside the door, greeting each one and thanking us for being there. Her hugs were heartfelt. This would be the beginning of an extraordinary time spent watching God’s supernatural strength and grace in this beautiful soul.

Our pastor spoke God’s wisdom and comfort from His Word as only he can. He had his own personal friendship and remembrances, including those final moments with a man who had become his godly brother in Christ in the few short years they had known each other. Gentle moments of humor they had shared helped to soften the harsh reality of separation felt mostly by his family, but with countless friends, including Marine brothers who had served with him during the difficult days of war with Iraq.

The worship service began with his two sisters on stage, one at violin and the other on cello. One young relative was at the grand piano. Some from our own praise team accompanied as they played The Goodness of God. I will never sing this song again without this memory before me.

This beautiful wife then quietly stepped up on the low stage and took her place behind her cello she plays in our worship services on Sunday morning. The room was silent as she freed the strings of her instrument with the melody of The Story I’ll Tell. The family trio continued to softly accompany her love mixed with the aching restraint reflected on her face through each draw of her bow. Each note carried His comfort to a room full of memories and, yes, sorrow.

The song ended. Our eyes followed as she stepped from behind her cello and moved to a microphone where she calmly and with joy shared her love and the love of their three children, their memories, and the scriptures that were speaking to her at this unimaginable time. She admonished us with faith and hope.

The worship continued, led by our own minister of music and Sunday morning praise team. Following were those in attendance who volunteered to share personal memories, stories that helped to introduce an amazing young man that some, including myself, had not had the privilege of knowing on a personal level until this service. He truly is one to remember fondly, even if only through the hearts and memories of others.

A video presentation completed stories of their wedding and family times that will serve to carry loved ones through these difficult days, days that will surely stretch into the future until the promised eternal reunion bought by Jesus Himself that day on the cross.

The services closed with the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard presenting the American flag to the room, then respectfully and with great gratitude, presented by a kneeling Marine to the wife who was, for now, left behind. Not a single pin drop could have broken through the silence at this powerful moment. This now-fallen Marine received his personal recognition from Jesus the instant he breathed his first breath in Heaven, a place of complete healing, peace, and joy. That’s the one mental picture that will sustain each one until we are all together again.

The fellowship following the service was open to each one attending. It was a room of approximately 200 family and friends who continued the celebration of a life well lived, a life that lives on even now.

Only the God who is Creator of everything, Sovereign Ruler over each life, Conqueror of every battle, worldwide or individual, could ordain a moment in time so personal to parents, his wife, their children, and each loved one. Only this Powerful One with a love sacrificial enough to make it possible through the blood of His only Son.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory.
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.”
I Chronicles 29:11 NKJV

A recent and true moment.

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