When I received Ann's email, about the passing of her husband, I felt a heaviness on my shoulders and a lump in my spirit. It wasn't because it was a surprise. It was because the pain she and their family had been watching him live through was over. I felt very sad for the grief she was about to go through.
I sat for a moment and considered my options for which service to attend. The wake or the funeral. I decided the funeral. Most wakes I've been to have been crowded and you don't really have any one on one time with the grieving person you came to see. Other times, I've sat quietly in a chair where my friend can look over and make eye contact with me. I've been told that's brought them a lot of comfort.
Since my friend and I don't share an everyday friendship, she's been emailing me for prayer, which I am humbled to do every time she asks. You might know this yourself - when you are praying on behalf of someone you love, the Holy Spirit brings that person to mind and often times prays for them on your behalf. There's a closeness that happens - you are drawn together in Him.
Here's my response to her husband passing away:
I sat for a moment and considered my options for which service to attend. The wake or the funeral. I decided the funeral. Most wakes I've been to have been crowded and you don't really have any one on one time with the grieving person you came to see. Other times, I've sat quietly in a chair where my friend can look over and make eye contact with me. I've been told that's brought them a lot of comfort.
Since my friend and I don't share an everyday friendship, she's been emailing me for prayer, which I am humbled to do every time she asks. You might know this yourself - when you are praying on behalf of someone you love, the Holy Spirit brings that person to mind and often times prays for them on your behalf. There's a closeness that happens - you are drawn together in Him.
Here's my response to her husband passing away:
Oh, dear.
I was sensing he wasn't doing well.
I'm so sad for your loss, Ann.
I plan on being there Saturday.
I'm asking God to carry you through the next few days as you are greeting people who love you and Artie. I'm asking God to give you the emotional and mental strength you'll need for those times when you need it. Lastly, I'm asking God to whisper His love for you when you lay your head down to sleep, when your thoughts are memories and your tears are tender love.
Hugs and Kleenex,
Amy
She responded by saying:
Thanks. I think we need a ton of Kleenex and that's a very good thing.
I had boat loads of anxiety before going to the funeral and worked through it:
I'm fat - I can't do anything about that today.
I don't have anything to wear - wear what's comfortable (jeans, jean shirt, take Aaron with me - Aaron's shoes & earrings)
I'll ask my sister to go with me - unfortunately she had to work
Don't go early - Get to the funeral at 11:00 so as to avoid crowd mingling
Don't go into church where everyone else is seated for service - stay in foyer
Bring a card and a pretty box of Kleenex with a note "To Ann With Love Amy"
Wait until the end when his casket is taken away in the hearse. If it's meant to be that I see her, God will make the way.
Don't be nervous. Be comforting and bring God's peace to her.
And that's exactly what happened.
We were able to have some private words.
I thanked God for keeping me in check.
I felt good about being able to function under duress.
I hold loosely to this friendship.
She is well loved by many.
Lord, whatever Ann needs, whoever can serve her the best, that's what I want for her.
Amen
I had boat loads of anxiety before going to the funeral and worked through it:
I'm fat - I can't do anything about that today.
I don't have anything to wear - wear what's comfortable (jeans, jean shirt, take Aaron with me - Aaron's shoes & earrings)
I'll ask my sister to go with me - unfortunately she had to work
Don't go early - Get to the funeral at 11:00 so as to avoid crowd mingling
Don't go into church where everyone else is seated for service - stay in foyer
Bring a card and a pretty box of Kleenex with a note "To Ann With Love Amy"
Wait until the end when his casket is taken away in the hearse. If it's meant to be that I see her, God will make the way.
Don't be nervous. Be comforting and bring God's peace to her.
And that's exactly what happened.
We were able to have some private words.
I thanked God for keeping me in check.
I felt good about being able to function under duress.
I hold loosely to this friendship.
She is well loved by many.
Lord, whatever Ann needs, whoever can serve her the best, that's what I want for her.
Amen
