{"id":32336,"date":"2022-09-10T16:05:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-things-to-remember-when-we-lose-someone-we-love\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:05:35","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:05:35","slug":"5-things-to-remember-when-we-lose-someone-we-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-things-to-remember-when-we-lose-someone-we-love\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things to Remember When We Lose Someone We Love"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Billy Walker<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve started this article a couple of times and keep hoping the creative juices will flow a little easier with each new beginning.<\/p>\n

See, since the last time I put pen to paper (or fingertips to keys) to share with you, my dad went home to be with Jesus.<\/p>\n

Talk about a different Christmas, New Years, and all-around holiday experience. Exactly halfway between the beginning of December and Christmas, our family gathered at the house as paramedics worked to revive my dad. While he was gone by earthly standards, he was more alive than he\u2019d ever been before.<\/p>\n

The very next night, we hosted a special concert with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound\u2014an evening made possible more because of my dad than anything else.<\/p>\n

People were there when the doors opened, and a continual steady stream of people came to pay their last respects to my dad who had loved them, led them, inspired them, and encouraged them. It was truly a wonderful tribute.<\/p>\n

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To try to relate all that has happened in the past month would take far more room than I have the desire to write and much more than you have time to read.<\/p>\n

But let me try to share a few life lessons that have come from processing the hurt, the hope, and the healing.<\/p>\n

1. Remember to Give Thanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Give thanks for the memories, give thanks for the lessons, and give thanks for the time spent with loved ones.<\/p>\n

Can I admit something to you? I can find myself questioning, doubting, and even resenting God\u2019s timing. But I endeavor to quickly eradicate that thinking and move into the lane of gratefulness.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s something that may sound a bit crazy but has been a recurring theme for me: I\u2019m actually thankful for the hurt!<\/p>\n

If only because, in this case, the pain of losing my dad at this stage of life shed light on all we were enjoying by having him with us.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m keenly aware this isn\u2019t the case for everyone. This moves me to have more sympathy and empathy with those not so fortunate in their parental relationships.<\/p>\n

2. Remember to Cry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Just a couple of days after the funeral, my wife said she\u2019d cried so much, there were no more tears left to shed. I concurred. But we\u2019ve found many more tears in the arsenal.<\/p>\n

I know there are some of you who might fit into the \u201cnever let \u2019em see you weep\u201d category. However, that was not my dad, and it\u2019s definitely not me.<\/p>\n

Let grief happen. If it happens with tears, so be it.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t be surprised at how that emotion can arise out of nowhere. Interestingly, I\u2019ve had a hard time at the end of sermons. A message devoid of that type of emotion got the best of me as I was leaving the platform.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n

3. Remember to Let Them Go<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019ve been times (and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll continue) where in my selfishness, I wish dad were still here.<\/p>\n

I need him, even if it\u2019s in a hospital bed or a rehab assistance center. I need to see him, hear his voice, get his advice, and know his love and encouragement.<\/p>\n

During those times, it\u2019s helpful to try to imagine what he\u2019s doing, what he\u2019s a part of, and Whom he\u2019s worshiping. When heaven becomes more real to me, I love him too much to continue wishing he were still here.<\/p>\n

December 28 was his birthday. To be honest, it was more difficult than Christmas Day. We\u2019d always celebrated with him on his birthday to make sure it didn\u2019t become part of another holiday.<\/p>\n

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What brought a smile to my face was that for the first time in 40 years, he\u2019d celebrate with both of his parents. \u201cToday, you will be with me in Paradise,\u201d has never meant as much as it has in these past days.<\/p>\n

4. Remember the Prince of Peace<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Finally, but most importantly, there\u2019s a peace that passes human understanding. This can only be truly understood when life is anything but peaceful.<\/p>\n

The Sunday after his passing, I was continuing a series on \u201cUnwrapping Christmas,\u201d and the gift we were \u201copening\u201d that day was peace.<\/p>\n

The prophets promised peace, and peace on earth was delivered that first Christmas.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think it would have been wrong for me not to speak that Sunday. However, dad taught that ministry was far more important than entertainment. Therefore, if \u201cthe show must go on\u201d in the entertainment industry, the ministry and the minister must go on.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the deal; with or without dad\u2019s \u201cstick with it\u201d mentality, the only explanation for what happened that morning and throughout the days to come was a God-given peace that could only be experienced by those having a relationship with the Prince of Peace.<\/p>\n

In Romans 12:18 Paul writes, \u201cIf possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dad understood the importance of that command. He lived at peace. He died at peace. Why? Because my dad knew the Prince of Peace, and his greatest desire was for others to know Jesus too.<\/p>\n

At the end of so many of the messages my dad gave, he\u2019d share John 1:12: \u201cBut to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name.\u201d<\/p>\n

To God\u2019s glory, dad spoke to well over a million people in his lifetime. He shook the hands of over 30,000 people who gave their lives to Jesus Christ. My dad prayed with hundreds of others who serve in ministry around the world.<\/p>\n

He leaves a tremendous legacy and shoes too big to fill on my own.<\/p>\n

My dad is my hero. The thing about our heroes is we think they\u2019re invincible. I\u2019m sure that\u2019s one reason why this has been one of the most difficult seasons I\u2019ve ever experienced.<\/p>\n

5. Remember the Father’s Love<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s one more lesson my dad taught above and beyond everything else. My dad taught that as much as he loved me, I should know my heavenly Father loves me even more.<\/p>\n

There are countless people who still need to experience that love. While they may not have the earthly experience I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to have, they can know my Jesus!<\/p>\n

By God\u2019s grace, I\u2019ll continue to share the good news until I see my dad again.<\/p>\n

And so, I cling to this promise: Dad is with the Lord, and the Lord is with us. Someday, all God\u2019s saints will be together again.<\/p>\n

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Billy Walker<\/h2>\n

@billyhwalker<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Billy is a 3rd generation pastor of Calvary Church in Southgate, Michigan. He is the vice president of the Billy Walker Evangelistic Association, and is the president of the Pastor\u2019s Conference for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n