A SYMPHONY OF LOVE

I recently attended the funeral of my wife’s step-father.  He and my mother-in-law had been married about 22 years – the same length of time that Karen had had with her father, who died of cancer in 1976.  Though Gene and I were not especially close (his name was also Gene), I found myself deeply touched by his funeral service and the events surrounding it.  For me it demonstrated the importance of familial love and the power and grace of a compassionate church community. 

Gene had two sons from previous relationships both of whom had been somewhat estranged from their father.  In the last few years, however, Gene had done some serious work toward reconciliation with each of them.  It warmed my heart to see both sons at the funeral – one came from California with his wife, and the other flew all the way in from Japan.  The young man from Japan read a statement at the service that turned out to be quite a tribute to his father.  How sad it would have been if neither son had come.  The apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 5:18 spoke about the “ministry of reconciliation.”  I witnessed, first hand, the power of that ministry within that family.

My mother-in-law has been an active member of her United Methodist Church for many years.  She has served on committees, has sung in the choir, and has contributed dishes to funeral luncheons too numerous to mention.  At the funeral it was clear that she was a respected, beloved member of that church community.  I could tell, for instance, that the pastor had spent extra time with the family to learn as much as he could about Gene.  The eulogy was personal, moving and filled with compassion for the family left behind.  A group from the choir sang a lovely anthem.  I sat directly behind my mother-in-law and could not help but notice that every person that passed by, (not just family members, but church members, too) stopped at her chair to kiss her, touch her shoulder or whisper something in her ear.  I was moved to tears as I watched all of these gestures of love.

The symphony of compassion continued at the funeral dinner.  There was an amazing over-abundance of food.  It seemed that everyone wanted to contribute a dish!  In addition, the church has a policy that the family of the deceased will pay for the meat served at these events.  In this instance, however, someone from the church insisted on picking up the tab.

In 1 John 4:7 we read, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”  I witnessed that love extended to my mother-in-law during her time of need.  I have witnessed it here as well.  So let us continue making the music of love, for “if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12b). 

Winter blessings,

Gene