A Day to Honor and Remember

Yesterday I attended a funeral for the beloved husband of a friend, Betty Rivera. After the first few moments I spent with Betty I could tell her passion for family, but most of all, her love for her husband, Tom. When I first met Tom, I understood why. He reached for me and gave me a great big hug and I could feel genuine love emanating from, not only his hug, but his joy-filled eyes and giant smile.

I will reflect occasionally as I write this piece, because these were characteristics I remember from my father. Dad had a smile that expressed love in ways no words could express.  No matter how ill he was he always greeted everyone with a huge smile.

The similarities did not stop with a smile. As I listened to the many people speak about Tom and his life, I also realized Tom didn’t only talk the talk, he walked the walk, as they say. Tom always invited people to come closer to the Lord and to know the security that awaited them when they joined Jesus.

Daddy believed that too. However, there may have been some difference in the way they approached that subject. 

Yesterday the room filled with people at Tom’s funeral were asked to raise their hands if Tom was the reason they had the Lord in their life. Many hands rose. What a tribute to the man, who I already knew had an infectious way of drawing people in. I believe firmly it was because he was so genuine. Maybe part his charisma.

My father’s funeral was filled with people too. Most were there to honor a man who walked the walk, but maybe had more difficulty talking the talk. It was remarkable how much my father had accomplished in his life, but he came to the Lord later in life. At a time when many of one’s ways are more established. He had only an eighth grade education and felt much insecurity about that.

To explain I must compare the two wonderful men. Tom new the bible well, and spoke freely about it from his heart. Daddy knew the bible well, but was more awkward speaking about it. Whether it was his church or Daddy himself, his way of drawing people closer to the Lord was scripted. I know this because I had helped him, serving as test person when he started witnessing. He had a deep insecurity about speaking out in public but his love for God was deeper so he did it anyway.

At this point I have to switch to a humorous story about my father witnessing to strangers. In his church they went “door to door,” witnessing to anyone who would open their door and listen. Once there was a woman who took great offense and called the police. On that day by father was arrested for “solicitation.” He took a lot of ribbing as there are others who are arrested for “solicitation,” had has nothing to do with witnessing.

And I must tell of the most poignant moment when my father realized one woman had accepted the Lord as her Savior because of his witness. It was one of the happiest times of his life. Now back on subject.

Yesterday I observed a family that called themselves a “Team Rivera,” step up to the microphone and herald their father and brother speak of the faith they had learned from their relationship to this man. It was impossible for me not to compare it to my family that may or may not share my father’s beliefs.  Dad desperately wanted to be sure we all believed, yet never seemed quite satisfied that we really did.

I do believe however, that as far as my sons are concerned whether they believe or do not, or more accurately, if they do not, it had less to do with my father’s inability to talk the talk than it did my failing to walk the walk in their earlier years. Thankfully I have a forgiving Father who loves me more for changing those ways.

Still, I must admit a sinful moment of envy as I looked at the “team,” at yesterday’s funeral. I saw a family that was as on fire for the Lord as their father, and also strongly surrounding their mother with the love she too deserved. My envy was because I realized that would not be the case for me. I believe in the same situation my earthly team would be small, though my heavenly team would be just as strong. That is that promise that dissolved my moment of self-pity.

Enough about me.  I wanted this article to be a tribute to two wonderful men who loved the Lord. 

There will always be a part of us that will miss the person they lost, but as is written we will not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Read Full Scripture Here.

We will joyfully celebrate the life and cherish the memories of the time we had with them and await the promise of a time we will see them again.