Come To Jesus...

Sunset, August 6, 2012.  dd

Today was the memorial service for a friend's father in Dalton, GA.  Burial will be in Mobile, AL on Monday.  This is a friend I have known since 6th grade.  My daughter starts 6th grade on Monday.  For me and my friend, it has been 36 years of a friendship. 

Her Mom and Dad became another set of parents for me..... did you have friends' parents like that?  I was blessed to have two sets like that.  The Mann family and the Phillips family.  Both these sets of parents, in addition to my own, took me in and allowed me to be part of the family.  I wasn't a guest when I was there; I was family. 

I have fond memories of both sets of these families.  Hanging out, playing games, even getting to go on family trips.  With the Phillips family, when the older brother couldn't go on trips, I got to go.  When he played in band at state football playoffs, I traveled with the family down to the game.  My friend Sylvia's parent's were "mom" and "dad".

There is an additional complication to the Mom and Dad role.... I married their son in 1986, but we divorced in 1998.  Yet, that didn't destroy the friendship with the friend or the family, thankfully.

They wished me well with the birth of my child and my second marriage.  I've kept in touch through the battle with cancer.  Our family has visited with them several times at Christmas and we have celebrated Christmas Eve service together in the past.

Things got rougher recently and Pop passed on August 9th.  I was blessed to have visited with him a couple of weeks prior and the Tuesday before he passed. 

"Come to Jesus" was one of the songs Sylvia's mom wanted sung at the service.  Sylvia's music minister sang it on Sylvia's behalf.  It is a powerful song by Chris Rice.  It is touching and uplifting, all in one. 

Sylvia's daughter sang the first verse of "Amazing Grace" and led those in attendance with the rest of it.... she did a wonderful job.

Sylvia's husband shared a letter he had written Pop back in March that was touching and inspiring and it caused you to choke back tears.

Sylvia's son shared words for the family he had gotten from Pop a week ago today when they last spoke. 

It was a very moving and powerful time to see all the family and friends come together to celebrate the life of this man. 

Thank you again, Pop, for who and what you mean to me.

I know you are whole again and blessed.  Praise to our Creator.

One of the several versions of Chris Rice's "Come to Jesus" on YouTube is found at this link.

Here are the lyrics for "Come to Jesus":

Chris Rice - (Come To Jesus) Lyrics Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die O, raise your head, for love is passing by Come to Jesus Come to Jesus Come to Jesus and live! Now your burden's lifted And carried far away And precious blood has washed away the stain, so Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus and live! And like a newborn baby Don't be afraid to crawl And remember when you walk Sometimes we fall...so Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus and live! O, and when the love spills over And music fills the night And when you can't contain your joy inside, then Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus and live! And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world goodbye Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live!

~Debra