The Lord be glorified!

Last week was a long, hard, but beautiful week. We cried, we laughed, we sang, and we did some very hard things. Some of the hardest things ever. We had to say “see you later” to our Husband and Dad. God in all his grace carried us through and gave us strength that only He can give to walk that road.

Randy and I put the funeral service together back in June. We had time with our pastor and it was a gift to both of us to be able to plan this very hard thing together. We discussed many passages Randy loved and tried to narrow it down to just the “right” ones. The week of the funeral, of course, is a busy time and my brain was pretty numb from everything that was happening. Last week, one of our pastors was in the hospital and unable to participate in the service, so we were quickly changing a few things. I realized later on that one of Randy’s favorite psalms, Psalm 116, got “missed” in the service. I forgot to relay that passage to Pastor Tom to have it read. On Saturday and Sunday I was feeling guilty that I had let Randy down but this was something I kept to myself.

On Sunday evening, I went with a friend to sit on the beach to feel the warm sunshine and enjoy a sunset, which Randy and I loved to do. It was a hard thing to do but it felt good to just sit and be. I got home that evening and Brianna shared with me that Pastor Jeremy had preached at our church that evening. “Mom,” she said, “He mentioned dad in the service and he also said he felt the Lord put this passage on his heart to preach on.” The passage was Psalm 116 😭.Brianna had no idea of all that I was thinking. My heart sank and tears came, Oh Lord it wasn’t forgotten. You had something even better prepared. Lord, you gave the passage a whole sermon. It was a wonderful sermon and He spoke of Randy in a beautiful way. But more importantly he preached on Psalm 116. In the psalm the psalmist is not focusing on his trials, rather He has his heart looking to the Lord; he turns to worship during the midst of his trials. I opened Randy’s Bible to that passage. Randy had written in his Bible “ I Love to worship the Lord! Worship, worship!” What a blessing. God had given my heart a huge gift that evening. And Randy’s wish to have one of his favorite psalms shared was granted. I pray you will be blessed and see the Lord glorified through the services I have linked in the Caringbridge today. As Randy said over and over to Pastor Tom, “Please do not make this service about me,” these services are all about what a great God we have! God be Glorified!

Thank you all for all your care and support over the last 2 1/2 years. We stand in awe of ALL who came to the visitation and the funeral to show their love for us and for Randy. How incredible the Body of Christ is! What an awesome God we have! May His Name be praised!

Funeral link

https://www.youtube.com/live/j9xnuvJ4niw?si=rEJIxE_LFywSuTy2

Sermon link 

https://www.youtube.com/live/xD194LNBs1I?si=jy2_L8qXQMwXJsGP