A GODLY MAN
Mickey & I attended the funeral of a most Godly Man Saturday.
His name was James (Jim to us - Jimmy to his family) Blackwell. He was 63 years old and he & his wonderful wife, Barbara, were married 46 years and had a daughter & a son. We knew the entire family, except the daughter who lives in Arkansas.
Jim had been ill for many, many years and yet all the times we were every around him you NEVER heard him complain. Everyone at the funeral had the same 2 things to say about Jim. #1 - "I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone." & #2 - "You couldn't be around Jim for 5 minutes before he found out if you knew Jesus and would tell you about him if you didn't. " Barbara was a wonderful wife who never left Jim's side and was faithful, caring and loved him deeply.
It was a joyous funeral as so many spoke the above truths about Jim & Barbara. The music selections were perfect for Jim - "Amazing Grace" - "If You Could See Me Now" and "I Can Only Imagine". Yes, we could SEE Jim now and we could only IMAGINE what a joyous homecoming he had.
Funerals always put things in perspective for us humans as we are forced to recognize and realize our mortality if only for a brief moment. This one made me so keenly aware of something else......what will be our legacy? What will people be saying about us and the lives and testimonies we lived for our Lord and Savior? It is certainly something we need to ponder.
The funeral was held at the church we use to attend several years ago. It was such a joy seeing so many of our friends from that Body of Christ and getting their hugs. I so look forward to the time we will all just be Brothers and Sisters in Christ without the barrier of various brand churches!!! Jim, our friend, we'll all see ya there in Heaven at the throne of God!!
9 comments:
You're right, Susan. Funerals, news of terminal illness....those things have a way of reordering our priorities and speaking a crystal clear message about life, and how fleeting, in the context of eternity, it is.
I will be praying for Barbara. So glad she has a friend like you, and others who will be there for her.
How wonderful to have those kinds of things said about you at your funeral. He left a legacy. Isn't it wonderful to know you will see him again?
So sorry to hear about your friend.
Yes,I have often thought about the things that people will have to say at my passing.
I just need to continue to praise my Savior while I am still here.
Prayers for his family.
God bless
May we all search our hearts and know that we are ready to step from this world into the next and stand before our Lord and leave a legacy worthy of praise.
"I so look forward to the time we will all just be Brothers and Sisters in Christ without the barrier of various brand churches!!!"
Well said, Susan, well said.
Sorry to hear of your temporary loss of your friend, Jim.
it is indeed something to look forward to. and i think we all hope that what is said at our funerals would glorify God.
sorry for your loss.
Oh, Susan, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend but as you say, you will all meet up again one day:-) You were so blessed to have known Jim and it's wonderful to hear of the legacy he's left behind. My heart goes out to his family. xoxo
My heart gets excited thinking of the absolute joy he is experiencing right now!
Amen. There is nothing like being at the funeral of a godly person. Will try to remember to pray for Barbara.
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