Today I went to a funeral.
It was for the dad of one of my best friends growing up.
She moved into our neighborhood when we were in 3rd grade. We rode the bus together, were in the same class and became close friends. Pretty soon we started taking her to church with us every week. Then, her little sister joined us. And until we graduated and went to college we were part of the same church and youth group. Out of all my friends–even my sisterchicks, I’ve probably never hung out with or had more experiences than I have with her. We did church, school and home together.
And even all these years later…separated by college, time, families and states, I still have this inexplicable love and depth of emotion for her. So, when I saw a Facebook update from her sister about their dad dying, I got immediate tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.
It wasn’t so much because I had a relationship with their dad–I didn’t really. It was just the finality of knowing that a friend of mine was going to live without their dad. And on top of that, I knew he wasn’t a Christian. We had brought his kids to church every week because it wasn’t a priority for him.
I knew it would be difficult knowing she’d never see her father again–either on earth or afterward. And to be honest, I wondered how she would react to God–would she blame him? Be angry at him? Turn her back on him?
So, I sent her a message on Facebook and told her how much I loved her and was praying for her. I promised I’d be at the memorial service. I shut my computer, got in the shower and began to sob.
Who would have thought when we were walking to each other’s house, spending the night, playing Duck Hunt in her basement, driving to school when we were 16 that one day we’d be at a funeral for our one of our dads? What if all those years of church, praying and talking about God amounted to nothing?
I should have known better.
When I got out of the shower, I headed straight for my computer to check my email. I saw a message from my friend. She said she was crying as she wrote the email. She asked if I remembered when we were kids how we’d pray for her parents to have a relationship with Jesus? Well, just 3 months ago, her parents gave their lives to Him and were baptized in their home! She said, “If it was not for your family we’d be lost.”
I called my dad immediately and read him the email. I could hardly get it out through my tears. My mom was watching Daddy as he listened to me. She said he had tears streaming down his face, too.
When my mom and I arrived at the funeral, we ran straight to the arms of my friend. She said, “All those years of church and prayers, they were for this moment. It took years of praying and preparation to get to this day.” What an honor to be involved in this family’s story. I take no credit–I was just a kid that had a friend. My parents were selfless enough to make room in their cars and schedule. My friend was strong enough to do something on her own, to stand alone in her faith. And God used their faithfulness to bring a man…a family to Him!
During the funeral, we also heard that my friend’s next door neighbors were Christians. The husband was a hunter and became hunting buddies with my friend’s dad. They spent the last 26 years as neighbors and also as examples of God’s great love.
Do you see this story? Do you see God’s hand? My friend could have moved anywhere. They chose our neighborhood. They moved right next door to Christians that had similar interests. She made friends with me (out of the slew of kids our age) and my parents were willing to take her to church. And THREE MONTHS before her dad died, he gave his life to the Lord.
If you’re not a Christian, this might sound completely wild and weird. But I’m telling you, if you could see my friend’s eyes. See her heart and hear her tears mingled with joy. If only you had heard her mother tell the story of them being baptized. If you could have listened to the stories from the pastor and the chaplain of her dad’s final months. You would know that something supernatural happened.
God is a relentless lover. You may think he’s not concerned with you. Or worse actively against you. But it’s not true. He is wooing you. Regardless of your thoughts about Him He does love you. And He’ll spend YOUR whole life chasing after you–the way a loving Father chases His long lost son, the way a groom chases a bride, the way you’ve always wanted to be pursued.
why this post is awesome: because God is real! and big! and awesome!
This post makes me so happy and honored to know you, Amanda!! ♥
God is so good! I definitely got teary reading this. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes it’s so easy to focus on waiting for prayers to be answered that we forget that it actually happens.
Beautiful testimony Amanda! I have tears in my eyes! Amazed that God uses us in other peoples lives. Rejoicing with you in this salvation story!
God is SO good. So thankful for His faithfulness to answer years of prayers.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. It is very encouraging!
Oh man, I am crying right now. Thank you so much for posting this! God is so faithful!! When I was “standing in the gap” for my brother before he got saved {woot!} I kept clinging to 2 Peter 3:15: “And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” He does pursue. He does chase us. Praise Him for it!
I can still picture all four of you hoping in & out of the bronco or your dad’s truck. My heart smiled when I you told us the news! God is good!!
Thank you for this post – it fills me with hope! My own father is not a believer, so I have spent my Christian life praying for him. I can’t imagine how ecstatic I will feel if he ever receives the Lord. So happy to read this – that seeds planted and nurtured often sprout into wonderful things!
Amanda, what a beautiful post and testament to God’s love. Thank you for sharing. This definitely counts in the awesome category 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this! It is really encouraging as my Grandpa is in failing health and I’ve been struggling with weak faith this week when praying for his salvation. God does not work on our times table! Thanks for the reminder!
This is such a hopeful, beautiful story of God’s love and handiwork.
This is beautiful, God is good all the time! Thanks for sharing to remind me of that.
I followed the link from twitter – have never read your blog before today. What a powerful story of God’s love, grace, provision and plan. I have MANY friends who I pray will someday experience this transformational love and this post has given me hope. Thank you so much.
I randomly got this “tweet” about this post, and I think it was god’s way of helping me read something I should. You see, exactly three months ago I buried my mother, she was only 52 years old and didn’t have a relationship with god like I hoped she would. I struggle with her death every single day of my life since the day she died, I wonder if when in her last moments she asked for god’s help. It inspires me to read something like this to know that maybe there was hope. Today I am burying my godfather and again I am facing hard emotions, this post truly is uplifting in god’s work. He wanted me to see this and I am SO glad that I did.
YES!!!
Amen and amen.
What an AWESOME story! God is so good. Thanks for the reminders that every moment does indeed count no matter how old we are, that prayers are answered, and that God’s timing is perfect. Awesome, just awesome.
how wonderful!!! What an amazing gift – to be able to see God’s work through your family and the other neighbors and your friends come to fruition!!!
This totally made me cry! What an amazing story of how God worked in all of your lives. We don’t always get to see the outcome or how we impact someone’s life. Thank you for sharing this, Amanda.
This post had me in tears. Our God is so big and so great! What a way to bring Him glory
This blog posting brought me to tears. God is so good. He gave us an amazing gift, and while it is up to us to accept it, some just never do. What a blessing to know that your friend will see her father again one day.
Your story makes me think of my own grandmother. She never professed her faith, and on her death bed, I took to reading Psalm 23 to her several times a day, though she told be well before that when the time came, she would not be able to hear or understand my words. Father Mike from our old church came and gave us communion. Grams started to spit hers out, until he told her that it was Jesus body, given to her to forgiveness of her sins. After not having talked for 3 days, she said, “I know” and she took the body. After her passing, we came across a book she had left for us. It listed her favorite songs (all old Hymns) and her favorite scripture, Psalm 23. Praying for my grandmother over the last few years was her saving grace. I cannot wait to see my grandmother again. THANK YOU for posting about your friend today. YOU are a blessing to many, and God knew that your prayers would make the difference. Brightest blessings to you and your friends family.
I’m crying along with everybody else! Thank you for sharing this. What an incredibly amazing God we have and what a beautiful reminder to keep being faithful to Him!
This post made me tearfully rejoice along with all your other readers! What an awesome story of God’s faithfulness! Thank you for sharing, Amanda!
All In God’s time! Thanks for this post.
Chill bumps.
Wow.
God is truely awesome!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder. God is awesome. definitly had tears in my eyes, hugs and prayers to you and your friends.
I read it on Faceback too, so I know who you mean. I remember all of you being such close friends, yet so different. You were always an inspiration to this family. What a blessing to know that we will see him again and to know that your family made such a huge impact on their entire family.
Now I have tears in my eyes! This is a beautiful example of God’s faithfulness & grace!
Your post gave me goose bumps! I love hearing (reading) God stories like these! And I wonder–how has my family fit into His big picture?
I’m so happy for your friend even though I know she is still grieving the loss of her father here on earth.
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I’m glad that I found your post and your blog – will be bookmarking your blog! Thanks!
You had me at hello.
I’m glad that I found your post and your blog – will be bookmarking your blog! Thanks!
Thanks for finally talking about >The Full Story <Loved it!