Two Funerals

(Note: Please don't let the title discourage you.)
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Two funerals in two days, two men generations apart in age...

 Michael had just turned 39 in June and Lonnie would have been 100 on December 31.

The way the two of them lived their lives couldn't have been more different.

I'll begin with Michael, who was good friend of our son.

He was two years ahead of Aaron in school but they had much in common,

including the love for anything with wheels, working on anything with wheels,

driving (fast) anything with wheels, and sadly, eventually falling into the clutches of alcoholism.

I met Michael for the first time when he came to our clinic for physical therapy.

His body had become ravaged from years of heavy drinking after the death of his father.

It was during that time that I also became acquainted with his mother,
a sweet sister-in-the-Lord who loved her son so very much.

Long story short, Michael's teenage son also became a patient over the last few years,

along with another family member so the therapist and I became quite close to the family.

(When you find a great physical therapist, word gets around :)
Michael reminded me of Aaron in so many ways.
His mother and I bonded right away over the similarities in our sons.

We prayed for each other...and for each others' boys.

Last Thursday, Aaron saw it on Facebook and called me.

After being in and out of hospitals the past few years, Michael had lost his battle.

I had just seen his mom several weeks earlier and she told me how much better he was doing,
both physically and spiritually and that he had been sober for a good while.

Now, on to Lonnie...

...a precious soul that my family had been blessed to know for nearly 24 years.

Just a few short weeks ago, Lonnie drove himself to church for the last time.
You heard me right...he drove himself to church...at 99 years young.
Scary, you might think but I'll tell you, he was probably a better driver than most younger folks.
As a widower, he lived alone and always looked like a million bucks...
regularly sporting a coat and tie, white hair perfectly combed, impeccable posture,
and walked with confidence in every step he took.
No one would ever guess the man's age if they didn't know him.
Lonnie had lived his life for the Lord and had been His faithful servant for over 70 years.

Many of you may have a "Lonnie" in your church, no doubt.

He was the kind of man who seemed to have a direct line to God,

one who was so filled with the fruits of the spirit that when you were in his presence,

it seemed like the world was a brighter place.

The Lord must have given him the gift of knowing who needed special prayer.

 Lonnie always had a special place in his heart for our Aaron, knowing a bit about his struggles.

Several months ago, during the time Aaron was at the Potter's Wheel, 

Lonnie (who always sat behind us at church) was asking about him, like he had often done.

He had no knowledge of his current situation at that time but then again, somehow he knew.

Here's what he said:

"The Lord woke me up in the middle of the night with Aaron on my mind. Now I don't know why, but I knew I needed to pray for him so I did...the Lord knows why and that's all that matters."

 ~

Fast forward several months...

 ...that certain soul in need which Lonnie was awakened to pray for was sitting on the pew,

 right in front of him and has been now for several months...
...that is until a couple of weeks ago when Lonnie suffered a heart attack.
His 99 year old ticker was worn out and just couldn't handle any more.
Last Friday, Lonnie stepped over into Glory to meet his Jesus.
What an extraordinary life!

Two funerals home-going celebrations in two days.
At Michael's service, we were made aware in no uncertain terms that for the past several months,
he had been getting reacquainted with Jesus...
...regularly meeting with his pastor, attending Bible study and praying.
His pastor spoke highly of him and he was well loved by many,
and I am guessing here,  but it looked like about 400-450 in attendance at his service.
There was not a doubt in the minds of anyone that he was in the arms of Jesus, in perfect health.
As Aaron and I sat there, I know he must have been thinking what I was thinking...
...that this service could have just as easily been for him.

And as for Lonnie, his life spoke for itself...there was never even a question.
We will dearly miss the echoes of his bold "Amens" and "Praise the Lords" during our services.
~
After getting the news of these two men passing away just a day apart,
I couldn't help but think about their contrasting lives.
Nothing about the two of them was like the other, except for one thing...
...they both had a friend in Jesus.
One had known him most of his life and the other had just recently met him.

Two men, six decades apart in age, living their lives on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Both, rejoicing in heaven today.

Only by grace.

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