Evendays

Wife and I were in Wes’ old shepherding group on Sunday and about 40 people were present. I started my part of the class talking about the difference between mourning and celebrating… That it would be appropriate for us to mourn Wes’ death because we will miss him. His wife and grown children, and their children, will miss him. That shepherding group will miss him. The sick and saddened will miss his visits. The staff at College church will miss him.

But there was some opposition. "No, we should celebrate his life, not mourn his death." I told these older, wiser Christians that I thought I understood what they were trying to say, but that Wes left a hole in our lives that brought sadness. That many would miss his comfort. That others would sorely miss his wisdom. That all would miss his love.

No, said a saintly lady. He’s better off where he is…

I thought I’d failed to make my point when Wes’ wife spoke out. "I’m sad. And I’m going to miss him."

The Christian’s hope is glory… An eternal glory that outweighs all… But in the meantime our enemy, death, is still the enemy. And so I mourn and, even though I’m a firm believer in the Gospel. I’m comfortable with that. For I mourn as one who has hope.