Today, after days of reflecting, mourning, and planning, family and friends from all walks of Dennis Sr.’s life gathered together to celebrate his life and say good-bye to a man who was cherished by so many. The last five days have stood apart from anything else that Dennis and I have experienced together; it was a loss that neither of us was prepared for and I felt unprepared to support. But, true to character, God was faithful to unite and strengthen us through the process.
On our drive up to Michigan last Thursday, Dennis expressed that he would like to share at his father’s service. In the 5 ½ years that Dennis and his father were reunited, they had the blessing of experiencing life with each other. But if there was one thing that Dennis Sr. didn’t get to see his son do, it was speak to a roomful of people and captivate them with his words. And this morning, he told the most beautiful story of reconciliation; a story that he has lived out personally and been changed by. Dennis first spoke of being reconciled to a Heavenly father and then, as a twenty two year-old man, being reconciled to his earthly father that he had not known for fifteen years.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” -2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Dennis, his father, and his siblings, have been faithful ambassadors of this message that God has entrusted us with. It is a beautiful message of grace, redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It is a message of a love so divine that it can replace years of pain with a new relationship. It is a message that allowed Dennis and his siblings to be there, beside their father, today. And it is a message that reminds Dennis and me that, in Christ alone, God has given us beauty for ashes.
On our drive up to Michigan last Thursday, Dennis expressed that he would like to share at his father’s service. In the 5 ½ years that Dennis and his father were reunited, they had the blessing of experiencing life with each other. But if there was one thing that Dennis Sr. didn’t get to see his son do, it was speak to a roomful of people and captivate them with his words. And this morning, he told the most beautiful story of reconciliation; a story that he has lived out personally and been changed by. Dennis first spoke of being reconciled to a Heavenly father and then, as a twenty two year-old man, being reconciled to his earthly father that he had not known for fifteen years.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” -2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Dennis, his father, and his siblings, have been faithful ambassadors of this message that God has entrusted us with. It is a beautiful message of grace, redemption, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It is a message of a love so divine that it can replace years of pain with a new relationship. It is a message that allowed Dennis and his siblings to be there, beside their father, today. And it is a message that reminds Dennis and me that, in Christ alone, God has given us beauty for ashes.
2 comments:
beauty for ashes. so thankful for His love for us and the opportunity to partake in His redemption here on Earth
I've been praying for Dennis all day today, that God would give him words and that today would be a wonderful celebration of life and redemption. I am lifting all of you guys up in prayer each day and trusting God to show up in the ways that only He can. God has given you a beautiful gift of writing, Em- thanks for sharing your heart and reminding me of God's heart for His children. Love you so much- Elizabeth
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