I was standing there with tears rolling down my face. No matter how hard I tried, I found myself gritting my teeth, attempting to restrain emotion. Mr. Strawn was lying in his emergency room bed, awaiting his escort into the gates of heaven. A patriarch, his heritage surrounded him. I was moved beyond just tears as this heritage, his family, paid tribute to him.
I stood with Kathy Sanderson and her family as they spoke to Mr. Strawn all the things that I am certain he knew before this day. I love you was spoken with more than what I would call regularity. Those three words were more abundant than water in the oceans. I stood as each person spoke these words and more. I heard it over and over again, I love you paw paw, I love you daddy, I love you so much. In addition was, You taught me how to be a father, You never said a bad thing about anyone, You taught us how to follow Christ, You left us so much, You were there at our ball games. In any other setting these words would have been redundant, but not here. Kisses were abundant.
There was a point when I prayed with the family. Bob Strawns pastor, Ted Smith also prayed. But, we didnt really play a part. We just were there for them. It was when the family prayed that I realized this man made a real mark. I dont remember who prayed first. I just remember holding hands connected with the twenty something of them around Mr. Strawn. Someone started praying. Then, one by one others prayed. I know the Sandersons more than the rest. Terry prayed, Wes, Tyler, Kathy, Kathys mom, and other family members. Of course, they wanted Mr. Strawn back. But, that was not the emphasis of the prayers. The prayers were thanksgiving to God for Mr. Strawn. There were prayers of blessing and compassion. I stood amazed at what I was witnessing. Thank yous were being lifted up to a great God for the journey of a great man. Holding the hand of Mrs. Strawn and Lisa, Kathys mother and sister, with my eyes open and flooding with tears, I thanked God that I was so blessed to be standing right there. It is enough to make a weak man live like Jesus. This was not just the passing of a godly man; this was a baton being passed to the next generation. Thank you Jesus for putting me in that hard place in order that I might witness your greatness.
I met Bob Strawn on few occasions. But last night, I got to know him though he never spoke a word. His family eulogized him before me. In that I saw him more clearly as though I walked with him throughout his life. All night long, I heard words of remembrance. Never was a regret spoken. He was lauded with such praise and honor.
I remember standing with the family at Mr. Strawns bedside looking around at the family. My heart filled with joy and my eyes with tears when I realized that this legacy lived by this now passing man would endure forever. I have seen it personally in Terry, Kathy, Tyler, Wes, and Riley. I saw it in the other family that night. These people loved there husband, daddy, and paw paw. He loved Jesus. These people fell in love with this man, but more so in love with the Jesus that he gave all of his life to.
Thank You Lord for letting me see you in this man and now his family. What greater thing could be said of someone? I dont have a clue what he did for a living. I dont know if he made a lot of money. He fought in the Korean War. But, I dont know if he ever left this county after that. It doesnt matter. He lived like most men never do. He loved his Lord and his family; and, they loved him. To You, Lord, be all the glory forever and forever, Amen!
I love you, your servant, your friend,
Tim
I stood with Kathy Sanderson and her family as they spoke to Mr. Strawn all the things that I am certain he knew before this day. I love you was spoken with more than what I would call regularity. Those three words were more abundant than water in the oceans. I stood as each person spoke these words and more. I heard it over and over again, I love you paw paw, I love you daddy, I love you so much. In addition was, You taught me how to be a father, You never said a bad thing about anyone, You taught us how to follow Christ, You left us so much, You were there at our ball games. In any other setting these words would have been redundant, but not here. Kisses were abundant.
There was a point when I prayed with the family. Bob Strawns pastor, Ted Smith also prayed. But, we didnt really play a part. We just were there for them. It was when the family prayed that I realized this man made a real mark. I dont remember who prayed first. I just remember holding hands connected with the twenty something of them around Mr. Strawn. Someone started praying. Then, one by one others prayed. I know the Sandersons more than the rest. Terry prayed, Wes, Tyler, Kathy, Kathys mom, and other family members. Of course, they wanted Mr. Strawn back. But, that was not the emphasis of the prayers. The prayers were thanksgiving to God for Mr. Strawn. There were prayers of blessing and compassion. I stood amazed at what I was witnessing. Thank yous were being lifted up to a great God for the journey of a great man. Holding the hand of Mrs. Strawn and Lisa, Kathys mother and sister, with my eyes open and flooding with tears, I thanked God that I was so blessed to be standing right there. It is enough to make a weak man live like Jesus. This was not just the passing of a godly man; this was a baton being passed to the next generation. Thank you Jesus for putting me in that hard place in order that I might witness your greatness.
I met Bob Strawn on few occasions. But last night, I got to know him though he never spoke a word. His family eulogized him before me. In that I saw him more clearly as though I walked with him throughout his life. All night long, I heard words of remembrance. Never was a regret spoken. He was lauded with such praise and honor.
I remember standing with the family at Mr. Strawns bedside looking around at the family. My heart filled with joy and my eyes with tears when I realized that this legacy lived by this now passing man would endure forever. I have seen it personally in Terry, Kathy, Tyler, Wes, and Riley. I saw it in the other family that night. These people loved there husband, daddy, and paw paw. He loved Jesus. These people fell in love with this man, but more so in love with the Jesus that he gave all of his life to.
Thank You Lord for letting me see you in this man and now his family. What greater thing could be said of someone? I dont have a clue what he did for a living. I dont know if he made a lot of money. He fought in the Korean War. But, I dont know if he ever left this county after that. It doesnt matter. He lived like most men never do. He loved his Lord and his family; and, they loved him. To You, Lord, be all the glory forever and forever, Amen!
I love you, your servant, your friend,
Tim
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