Peace

Chad's grandfather, Papa Emory, sadly passed away last Monday. It was the first time I had ever dealt with grief from my future spouse and honestly, I found it just as hard as if it had been my grandfather that had died. Papa Emory was ready to go Home and I want to tell you about his funeral, which seems somewhat morbid, but please bare with me.
Papa Emory had always felt like the Lord had called him to preach. However, for reasons I don't really know, he neglected to follow that call and even his children say that Papa Emory claimed that his life was not what it should have been. However, he had been writing sermons. Now, I don't know if Papa Emory completed high school, needless to say he did not attend a fancy seminary. But he had been writing words that were divinely inspired, I am convinced. Page after page of his writing was found by Grandma Emory the day after his death and one of his sermons was chosen to be read at his funeral.
The funeral took place in a small country church in Landrum, SC, where Papa and Grandma had been members for years. The choir was there and they sang several selections of some of Papa's favorite hymns. There were tears, for sure. But one of Papa's last wishes was that the Gospel be preached at his funeral and that an altar call be held. That wish was carried out. As we all bowed our heads and waited on the Lord, a presence filled that tiny church that I KNEW without a shadow of a doubt was Him. One person, Papa's nephew that he had prayed for for years, came know the Lord that day, and one grandson rededicated his life to Christ. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever witnessed and one of the most beautiful life celebrations I have ever attended.
Funerals always make people stop and reevaluate, and that's what I have found myself doing. I want to live my life as a Christian - not just a fly by night Christian, but one who is a solid believer in Christ. It is not easy. It is especially not easy to have a good foundation when you are living with your fiance. Thankfully, that will be remedied in just a few months! I have not really felt at peace and I know that some of it stems from the fact that Chad and I are living together. Yes, both of us are believers, but neither of us can shake the guilt that we are doing something wrong by co-habitating before matrimony.
Anyway, that is another topic for another time. The song below was played at Grandpa's funeral and I hope that you find it as moving as I did.

TREASURES UNSEEN

MY HOME MAY NOT LOOK LIKE A CASTLE
MY CLOTHES MAY BE LACKING IN STYLE
AND IF YOU COME SIT AT MY TABLE
A MEAGER SUPPLY YOU MIGHT FIND

BUT OH, IT.S NOT WHAT YOU SEE
THAT MAKES ME A QUEEN, MAKES ME A KING
TO ME I.VE EVERYTHING
ALL THAT I NEED, ALL THAT I NEED
TREASURES UNSEEN

GOD MADE A WORLD FILLED WITH BEAUTY
WITH THINGS WE ENJOY EVERY DAY
MY SECRET - TWO HIDDEN POSSESSIONS
IS LOVE HIM AND SERVE HIM HIS WAY

CHORUS

TO ME I.VE EVERYTHING ALL THAT I NEED
TREASURES UNSEEN