What a week...
We learned Tuesday morning that our pastor, Bro. David had gone to be with the Lord. Apparently it happened in the early hours of the morning. We didn't receive much more information than that, and although we had all speculated that the time was near, I know I'm not only speaking for myself when I say that we were still holding out so much hope that his earthly body would be completely healed. We learned the night of his funeral that he was ready to meet Jesus, which led me to believe that he must've gotten pretty miserable. For that reason, I am thankful that he got what he wished for. Although I was devastated by the news, and our whole church family grieves the loss of our fearless leader, I also know that he is exactly where he wants to be and he is happier than he has ever been in his life! Dennis told the kids about his passing on the way to school that morning and sweet Sadie leaned her head on the window and started to cry. That broke my heart. I know that she felt a sense of disappointment in her 7 year old mind. She has prayed for him every day for the past 20 months and she has watched me hit my knees by her bedside every night to lift him up as well. I think it was just hard for her to believe that he didn't make it.
That night, me, mom, and Rachel went to a benefit concert at Crosspoint Church for a 20-something year old girl that is battling Stage 4 Colon cancer. It was led by Natalie Grant. Other performers were Mandisa, Plumb, Building 429, lead singer of Casting Crowns, Danny Gokey, and Dave Barnes. It was so, so good. I left there that night feeling restored from the brokenness of learning about Bro. David's passing. I felt hopeful again and my eyes were reopened to what life is all about.
To make a long story short, as soon as I got back to my car, I noticed that I had missed several calls from a friend of mine. I called her back, and she said that she thought I needed to head to Skyline and see what was going on with a friend of ours' husband. She lives across the street from our friend and had seen through her window what looked like him being carried out on a stretcher and put into an ambulance. I decided to turn around and head to Skyline since I was already out. I get to the ER and quickly find out that he had died from a massive heart attack. I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. He was only 44 years old. Their daughter is Sadie's very best friend. They've been in school together since pre-school. Over the next couple of days, I watched my friend go from literally being in total shock at the hospital to having to deal with the grief, to planning the love of her life's funeral, to barely being able to walk, to saying goodbye to him as we buried him yesterday. Those poor, poor kids. They have a set of twin 7 year olds. The same age as Sadie Jane. How will they learn to live without their daddy? How will they be able to deal with watching their momma grieve day in and day out? How will she learn to become a single mom overnight?
So, on the exact same day, November 18th, we lost 2 men from 2 completely different walks of life, from 2 completely different causes. That will definitely cause you to do a quick reality check.
Bro. David's funeral was Friday night at church. It was precious. So many men got up and spoke so incredibly about him and told wonderful stories and truly honored him in every way. Brad's funeral was on Saturday. Completely heartbreaking to watch Cristi and the kids having to tell him good-bye.
I don't know what tomorrow holds...for our church family or for my friend. But, I DO know that "there is no heartache that Heaven can't cure". I heard those words today in a song, and I hope to one day share them with my friend. Right now, she needs to mourn her loss.
During this week of Thanksgiving, I will most definitely have a heart full of gratitude, but at the same time, I will be heartbroken for my friend and the whole Landrith family who will all be having to already learn how to adjust to their "new normal". Jesus be near. Jesus come quick.
