An Amazing Funeral

Yesterday, I attended an amazing funeral for an incredible man.  The sanctuary was completely filled, which would be at least two hundred and fifty people. There were three different speakers. One was a friend from Bill's (the deceased) work in the theater.  His theater contributions provide a very impressive legacy,  having impacted countless lives!  He was a high school teacher and drama director, as well as a director at many plays in the community.  Bill had asked this friend to speak at his memorial service twenty seven years earlier  (that's advance planning!). Another speaker was a former pastor (and dear friend of Bill's)  who spoke about Bill as a man of faith, and his countless contributions to the life of the church.  The third speaker was the current pastor. Between the three of them,  he was given a good and proper celebration.

The service lasted for an hour and a half, but was certainly very memorable.  Bill received a standing ovation, twice. I'm sure he was there listening, and took one last bow,  very pleased, before final departure.

I had a rather odd thing happen to me.  I sat on the far side, in order not to take up primary (good visibility) seating for the guests (as I am staff).  There was a moment in time when I was "bathed in the light".   It was the time of day, the angle of the sun, the particular window and where I sat. The sunshine poured through the window and encircled me,  just me, in this bright glow. The golden light did not fall on the person to my left, nor the one in front of me.  I looked around that church at every location, and at no other place was the sun shining in like that.  It was surely just a coincidence, and there is no reason for me to take it as some personal affirmation or blessing.  Even though my rational mind knew that,  it made me feel pretty special, to tell you the truth!  To use a theater metaphor--the spotlight shone brightly on me.

My acquaintance and relationship with Bill has been brief, compared to the hundreds of others who have known him for a long long time.  There's no reason why I deserved any special light.  But I could fantasize that  Bill gave me just a moment of his time, in recognition for the pastoral care I had extended to him and to his wife Ruth these past few months.  I do know that Bill was especially fond of me.  His former pastor and his lovely wife both told me that.

I'm so glad I happened to be there at that church in time to know this unique and special man!