 |
|
|
Even though his life was cut short, David made an impact on his world. A big guy and former college football player, David resembled the famous trumpeter Al Hirt, and even played trumpet, as well. His quiet sense of humor often moved him to shake with soft chuckles. He taught sixth grade, coached, and sang in his church men’s quartet. He and Molly, his high school sweetheart, married at nineteen and produced five children.
People don’t think of nineteen as “middle-aged.” For David, it was. He died of leukemia at thirty-eight. Being a preacher’s kid, myself, I have attended countless funerals. But, I saw something at David’s funeral I had never experienced until then.
The day steamed hot and sunny. The large church sanctuary offered standing room only, many mourners filling every overflow seat possible. Squeezed into the crowd at the back, near the main entry, I found myself to be in the perfect spot to view the recessional at the conclusion of the service. As the pallbearers moved the casket down the aisle, Molly, carrying her youngest toddler, followed. The other children clustered around her like little chicks hovering close to the mother hen. I dissolved in sobbing tears, grieving my best friend’s tremendous tragedy.
As the family following the casket drew nearer, turning toward the door, the sight caused me to suck in my breath in astonishment, momentarily strangling my throat in mid-sob. Molly’s face had such a sweet radiance to it, reminding me of the Virgin Mary in Michelangelo’s The Pieta. Just the hint of a brave smile touched the corners of her mouth as she held her child close to her heart. But, that wasn’t what took my breath away.
Prayers swirled through my mind, such as, how will she ever manage to cope with this loss? How does a family survive? How could any young mother bear such heartbreak, missing the love of her life? My thoughts halted, dead in their tracks. What I saw convinced me that Molly and her little family were surrounded by angels’ wings.
This was more than the reflection of sunshine I saw. And I don’t know how else to describe that brilliant golden radiance that seemed to surround the casket and the family, with Molly at the center. That glow had a quality to it beyond sunlight. It cast no shadows. Instead, it enveloped the scene passing before my eyes as if I were viewing life at another plane, a spiritual dimension beyond beautiful. I just knew I was seeing my friend and her family through the fabric of invisible angels.
In past reading of Scripture, I had been disappointed to learn there is no need of sun or moon in Heaven. “And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”* I couldn’t imagine how we might enjoy a place without sun or candlelight.
Now, I no longer wonder, for I already know. In the words of the song: “Mine eyes have seen the Glory.”
____________________
*Rev. 22:4-5 KJV
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
