Has it really been over a year since I posted anything on here? Time sure flies when you get busy, but thanks to my sister-in-law, I realize that I have something I need to post.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it in here before, but I do some amateur acting at our church. I was asked to play a minor role in a dramatic sketch during our church services this last weekend, and it has had an unexpected impact on my life that I thought I'd share.
The sketch was titled "One Of These Days". The scene opens in a cemetery, with some mourners gathered around a grave and a couple of groundskeepers working on cleaning up a bench. As it progresses, it turns out that the groundskeepers are actually angels. After an initial discourse by them, the scene shifts to the minister who is presiding over the funeral. I was playing the minister.
I gave a pretty depressing little spiel:
"As for man, his days are like grass
As a flower in the field, so he flourishes
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone
And its place remembers it no more
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Another life comes to an end
Let us take a moment of silence"
One of the angels freezes time, and chides the pastor for not finishing the verse. "Psalm 103:15 goes on to say 'But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age'. This is not the end. I think you need to go back to seminary." The angel then snaps everyone back in.
The grandson of the man who has died then starts to make some comments, but gets frustrated and walks off. The angel freezes the rest of us again and they (the angels) have a discussion with the grandson, reminding him of the immenense of the resurrection. The rest of the group is then unfrozen, the grandson returns and delivers a short, stirring discourse, and the band goes into "One Of These Days", the song made popular by FFH (the church band and singers did a fabulous job on this, by the way). Towards the end of the song, the angels - who have now changed into more heavenly garments - walk over to the grave and lift out the grandfather - who now has his new resurrection body. He has a brief reunion with his grandson and then walks out in glory.
The sketch was very well written and performed, and the effect on everyone present was, well, dramatic. I saw lots of tears - most of them through the blurriness of my own.
So this all happens at the 2 services on Sunday, June 22, 2008. I found out early in the morning of Tuesday, June 24 that a dear friend - David Diehl - had passed away the previous day. Dave was a young man - I don't know his exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was around 45. He was wise beyond his years, and possessed a dead pan wit that could level anyone. Dave has left behind a beautiful wife, Lori, and 2 daughters, Lexi 12 and Dani 7.
Dave was the Executive Pastor - basically the business executive - at the church we used to attend. My wife and I had been in a small group with them, attended numerous functions with them, visited each others homes, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Back then I still participated in making a fool out of myself on the golf course, and often did so in front of Dave. I remember one early morning outing with just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time relating our life stories with each other.
When I heard this news, my thoughts were immediately drawn back to the sketch. I know Dave loved the Lord, and I KNOW that he is now with the Lord. Every time I think about that sketch now, I picture him as the one who is pulled out of that grave - dressed in glorious white. He emerges with wonderful surprise, and walks over to Lori and his daughters. They are able to embrace one more time before he heads off to wait for them with our Lord. Even as I type these words, I'm having a difficult time seeing through my tears.
Oh, I have questions for God - why do Lori and the girls have to endure this? Why is he being taken so young? But I know now more than ever that I WILL see him again. More importantly, so will Lori, Lexi and Dani.
A final footnote on the sketch. Russ, the man who played the grandson who is grieving the loss of his grandfather, did a magnificent job with the role, and it was played completely from the heart. He lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer last year.
He WILL see her again.
Praises to our King!
