Gloria and Randy were actually on a trip celebrating their anniversary when she passed. It goes without saying that his life is forever changed. Today at her
funeral we witnessed a great act of worship. It was known by anyone who knew her that she loved music. The worship we experienced was as close to heaven as I have ever experienced. What a joy to celebrate someone's life in such a way. I know she would have been in awe of the way the worship was carried out today. The songs chosen drew our attention to the whole reason we live, to honor the Lord! The fact that our Pastor spoke was touching.The reality of his message echoed the faithfulness of God and our need of a Savior.
Honestly I didn't know Gloria that well. I actually feel like I know her better now that I have heard the eulogies and adulations given about her over the last week. She is remembered as a person who was not afraid to live out loud, and had a song in heart that was never far from her lips. She really made an impact on those she encountered. We haven't been here for even a year. Consequently, my personal contact with her has been somewhat limited. But from the moment I heard of her passing one conversation we did have came to mind. It will be remembered forever.
One Sunday a handful of women were sitting at a table enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation. Someone inquired to her if she was going to be involoved in an event that was coming up this fall. I gathered from the conversation that it was something she "usually" did. She paused and then said "No, I'm not." After another slight pause she went on to explain that recently the Lord had told her that He was preparing her for something. She indicated she didn't know exactly what this "thing" was, but that He indeed "had big plans for her this fall." I remembering listening to that comment and being challenged by her words. I am often a person who plows into things head first, not stopping to see if the Lord indeed desires me to. It encouraged me to acknowledege that the Lord indeed has plans for our lives, but we need to be willing to take time to listen to them. I was inspired by her sensitivity to the Lord.
I have been thinking this week that Gloria had no idea that His plan was to call her home, to call her to Himself and allow her to sit at His VERY feet and sing.(something she truly desired). Even still, her desire was to yeild to Him. I was inspired today thinking about that conversation realizing that the Lord has a plan for us all. He created us with a special purpose in mind. Gloria's purpose here on earth was clearly laid out today. She was a woman who was loved and a woman who loved!
We sang a lot (I mean A LOT) of songs today. Every song spoke of the faithfulness of God and made our hearts turn heavenward. It made me long for the day when we will be given the opportunity to worship our Lord face to face. I pray that until then I will have a heart that is sensitive to know what the Lord is guiding me to do. That I will not just know He has a plan for me, but that I will be sensitive to yeilding to it, unashamedly!
Sometimes life as we know it gets so busy and distracts us. It is days like today that bring me back in,that encourage my heart that there is more to this life! As we live out our lives may we be encouraged to "live to know Him here on earth!" and live out loud!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth
(Chorus)
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
Christian lyrics - YOU NEVER LET GO LYRICS - MATT REDMAN
