It was a beautiful celebration to two wonderful people. The service was filled with tears, laughter, music, poetry, scripture, stories, memories, and hope. Charlie and Georgianna were consistently referred to as "dear friends." Everyone who spoke on their behalf shared a deep friendship with this couple and you had the sense that any person attending would stand up and say the same. They spoke of their love, humility, hospitality, friendship, and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.
Here is one of the beautiful tributes given to them by their dear friend Allen Beckette.
2 Corinthians 5:10 says. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." Pastor Bill Johnson says of the one thing that he tried to instill in his children is that we all must give an account before the Lord. Therefore as we grieve the passing of our friends we are afforded an opportunity to reflect on the brevity of life and the reality of eternity.
There's a song by Robin Mark titled, "When It's All Been Said and Done."
A portion of the lyrics read
"When it's all been said and done,
There is just one thing that matters,
Did I do my best to live for truth,
Did I live my life for you?
Lord I live my life for You."
(Note: We anticipated that there would be some people who would not be able to attend and would like to see the Anken service. As a result we hired a professional videographer to film the service and will make that available as soon as the production is finished. We will set a suggested donation to help cover the production cost. If you would like a copy please send me an email at woodlyzacek@gmail.com)
On Sunday morning, the sun rose on the cold white of the cemetery at Steuben corners. A family gathered to shed tears and set family members at rest. We gathered on holy ground and said sacred words. We created a place that will always exist out of time and beyond common sense. It is a place of love and memory,a place of joy and prayer, a place to connect and find peace. As we travel to that place whether in person, in our mind or in our dreams we will find exactly what our hearts need according to God's Great Will for us. Our friends are not gone but have simply travelled further on, out of sight but never out of mind. They go ahead and we can so choose to live a life centered on Christ that the services on Saturday and Sunday are not a goodbye but a breath until we all are together again. Until that time, we remain, created in love, taught through grace, and empowered to love others. Thank you Charlie and Georgianna for shining so brightly. Shine on!
ReplyDeleteWell said Jodi. Thank you for being a great encourager.
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