Last night I sang for a funeral, a precious baby boy’s funeral. When I got the message that his parents requested the song “Holy Spirit” for his service, I was so moved. The lyrics say this:
Holy Spirit You are welcome here.
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere.
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for.
To be overcome by your presence, Lord.
Your presence Lord.
You see, one thing I know for sure, is that in the Lord’s presence there is healing. His power, strength, hope, peace and love overcome in His presence.
The music started and we began worshipping; I felt God’s love pouring down on us. I visualized the grieving parents receiving a warm blanket of love gently wrapping around them. As they chose to worship through their pain, the Lord’s presence was thick in that place.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8a
I don’t know why little babies pass away, and perhaps I’ll never understand the tragedies of this world…but I do know that God’s love is greater. He overcomes it all with His love. I have learned that choosing to worship Him through pain and grief brings us into His presence, and there is nothing that compares! This is where I have found true, intense healing.
Eccliastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
the living should take this to heart.”
Our pastor shared this scripture and encouraged all of us to think intently about our lives: where are we in our relationship with Jesus and with the people in our lives? He asked us to remember this time of mourning, and let it change us as we relate with the people who are still here. There is no time to wait; now is the time to love!
The perspective of the brevity of life, and how valuable relationships are, can change every decision we make.
What really matters?
It comes down to love. Receiving God’s love and then pouring that love out on people. I’ve heard it said, “If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it!”
I’ve got one better: even if you don’t see something beautiful, ask for the eyes of Jesus! Then speak words of love and pour out acts of kindness anyway!
Our Pastor asked us to remember in the little and big frustrations that the person right in front of us is highly valuable. When the people in our lives make big messes, are we going to react with grace? Will we remember this funeral, of a baby boy, and appreciate the life right in front of us?
At the end of the service we released balloons into the sky in honor of the child who is now with Jesus. I looked over at his parents and I knew that they were heartbroken…yet they have hope…they will see their baby again in heaven because they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The balloons drifted out of sight but my mind’s eye would never forget the image of all those balloons released to the heavens.
Life is but a breath, so let’s choose love.
Love with our words.
Love with our time.
Love with our touch.
Love with our service.
Love with our gifts.
Wrap up in His warm blanket of love. ❤️ Fill up with His love and then pour it out, making the most of every opportunity in this life!
“What really matters is faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6