Reflections after Charlie's Funeral

The last 3 days were amazing, so bittersweet.  God was and is so good and He was so glorified.
Be sure that we cried and cried but there were equal tears of joy mixed with the tears of sorrow.


Yesterday we laid Charlie's body to rest.
The service at Holly & Charlie's church was amazing.
We worshipped, really worshiped.  We celebrated that Charlie is alive in heaven and we celebrated the ways God will use this to advance His Kingdom in our hearts and in others. 


These were the songs we sang at the start of the service....
They were both perfect, every.single.word.  There is no time the words resonate in your soul like at a funeral.  Our very being balances on the these things being TRUE.  There is no other time that they are more real.  

John 6:68 

Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

"Be My Everything" by Tim Hughes



Passion's "Awakening" by Chris Tomlin
In our hearts Lord, In this nation; Awakening
Holy Spirit we desire awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, Awake my soul and sing
For the world you love
Your will be done, Let Your will be done in me

In Your presence, In Your power awaken me
For this moment, For this hour, awaken me

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, Awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, Let Your will be done in me

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, Awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul, Awake my soul & sing!





And its amazing to think that God works these words and truths out for Holly and the rest of us as we grieve and at the same time, they are true for Charlie, as he awoke to Eternal Life.
And to be able to sing "Your Will be done" as tears fell... was just freeing & life giving.


Holly's cousin, Huntre, (on the other side) sang "Blessed Assurance"

1. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
   Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
   Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
   Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
   
   • Refrain:
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long;
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
   Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
   Angels, descending, bring from above
   Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
   I in my Savior am happy and blest,
   Watching and waiting, looking above,
   Filled with His goodness, lost in His love."

Their pastor spoke.  I won't attempt to do it justice and repeat all that he said but the parts that remain in my head are him saying that we think this is the land of the living, and those who die are going to the land of the dead.  But no, Jesus turned that upside down.  We are in the land of the dying and Charlie is in the land of the living!  Jesus said to Mary and Martha at Lazarus' tomb "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."

The service ended with this quote from Charlie's website, written on Monday 8/16.... 

"there is a reason that we have all been brought together in a particular moment in time even if I never know what it is I want to be sure that I keep my eyes on Him and not miss His purpose."

Then the crowd watched the Equador video as everyone was dismissed.

After we all got back in the limo, Holly looked back at Charlie's parents and said "I can't help but SMILE!"  And they smiled back.

We couldn't have foreseen the seemingly crazy turn that last Wednesday eve would bring.  I'm certain Holly (nor Charlie's parents, family and friends) would NOT have chosen or wanted it.  But as Holly said after the wake "[His death] is having far reaching effects".  

I LOVE YOU, MY DEAR HOLLY!!!!