Erin and I just got home from our annual Pharr Phest celebration - it was great to see the kids and adults have a time of fun and fellowship in a safe environment. The highlight of the evening for me came near the end, when one of our young people asked us about the origins of Halloween and we were talking about how Halloween is derived from All Hallow's Eve - the day before All Saints Day, traditionally observed on November 1. Each year All Saints Day is a very special and emotional day for me, as I think long and hard about those people who have come before me, those people who I have been blessed to have as a part of my life, influencing who I have become, and All Saints Day usually finds me full of joy and sadness (grateful for these people but missing them very much).
As we approach All Saints Day (and I am aware that most of you will get this message on November 1), I want to encourage you all to take a moment as you read this message to stop and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all those who have helped influence who we are and have gone on to the next phase of their eternal journey. I do miss many friends and loved ones, especially those whom I never met (such as my maternal grandmother and the six children we have lost due to miscarriage and other pregnancy issues), but am comforted by the reality that I have done nothing to deserve anyone, and that these people's influence on who I am is nothing more than a reflection of God's grace at work in my life. As I mention at almost every funeral I officiate, there is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain and sorrow that we feel upon the loss of a loved one, and I am not about to try; our challenge when we face the loss of a loved one is to be constantly mindful that the only reason we have people we love and care about in our lives is solely because of God's grace.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
As we approach All Saints Day (and I am aware that most of you will get this message on November 1), I want to encourage you all to take a moment as you read this message to stop and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for all those who have helped influence who we are and have gone on to the next phase of their eternal journey. I do miss many friends and loved ones, especially those whom I never met (such as my maternal grandmother and the six children we have lost due to miscarriage and other pregnancy issues), but am comforted by the reality that I have done nothing to deserve anyone, and that these people's influence on who I am is nothing more than a reflection of God's grace at work in my life. As I mention at almost every funeral I officiate, there is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain and sorrow that we feel upon the loss of a loved one, and I am not about to try; our challenge when we face the loss of a loved one is to be constantly mindful that the only reason we have people we love and care about in our lives is solely because of God's grace.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
No comments:
Post a Comment