Whispered Treasures

This is my second Thanksgiving without my husband, Roy. During the first year of his death, I was going on Spiritual Adrenalin, a supernatural ability to deal with my loss. This second year has been a little more difficult. The first year was occupied with thank you notes, business details, and sheer determination to make one foot follow the other as I got out of bed. I am surprised that the second year is harder, but I think I know why. Reality has set in. It still seems strange that Roy does not come home at night; but I am learning and accepting that this is permanent. And, in the permanence is sadness, but also peace. Everyone handles things differently, but for me, well, I could not part with all of his clothes at once. I am gradually clearing them out, but I have not been ready to until now. Whispered treasures rise up from time to time to remind me of the happy days. Memories float in that I had forgotten. The greatest whispered treasure, however, is the assurance that God is with me,that He loves me, and that Roy's death did not catch Him by surprise. I mean,can you imagine Roy walking into heaven one morning and God looking up and saying, "Well, Roy Funk, I wasn't expecting you today!" No, God was expecting Roy on that very day. It is a treasure to me to know that my Heavenly Father has Roy now all of the time,and that the two of them are in a completed relationship, available only through death. I am glad that his body is healed and that he knows the permanence of a life without distraction, without sin, and without leukemia and atrial fib. I proclaim again and again that God is a dear and wonderful God, full of love and compassion. I know this because He shows me His nature all of the time. Praise God for His great love for us.

Jesus Still Comes Down at Christmas

I was not at all sure how Christmas would come to my home this year. At first, I felt I was going to just "skip" it, as if I held that sort of power. Christmas came, and it comes to all of us, beautifully slipping into our soul whether we are ready for it or not. I was not sure I was ready. At first, I thought I would not put up a tree. Then, I thought, "I have to. I need Christmas." I found the lights of the tree to be as intriguing as they were when I was a child; they were beautiful. I found that Jesus came to the stable to be born anew in the lives and hearts of those who will receive. I heard the joyous church music,and realized that had I shut myself off from that, I would have lost out big time this year. So, I embraced Christmas. In return, Christmas embraced me. Actually, let me put that another way. Christmas embraced me first, and I responded to that and embraced Christmas. I felt overwhelmingly blessed by the friends who called, wrote or came by, wanting to make very sure I was doing okay. And so, because of God's grace, I did better than okay. I am constantly amazed at what He does for me. How about you? Did Christmas embrace you? If you didn't feel the heartbeat of the baby Jesus, the joy of the shepherds, the awe of Mary and Joseph, stop and allow your Christmas to happen all over again. Let it happen. Don't miss the baby. In your mind's eye, see yourself picking him up and holding Him. Now, bring Him close to you and look into His eyes. This is life. I hope you have found that wonderful joy He brings. If not, I would like to talk to you. Let me know. Blessings for a joyful January.

Thanksgiving Memories

God has such sweet surprises in store for His children. Last night, on Thanksgiving Eve, I thought about this day and wondered just how difficult it might be for me. However, the first thing that entered my mind when I awoke was heaven's banquet table, where Roy is now privileged to feast. Today, he will be tasting eternity's fruit of the spirit in all its full glory. I wish I could sit beside him, but he is not far from me today. I will see him in the voice of our sons, see him as I touch our grandchildren's faces, and touch him through the happy memories God is liberally giving me this morning. I am not sad today. How can I be? The thought of Roy's complete healing rises in me with such thanksgiving because I know that, if left here, he would still be battling the terrible disease which ended his mortal life. He's enjoying eternity today. He's feasting with Jesus. That brings me so much satisfaction, and I am touched once again with the sweet grace of God. I hope your day is wonderful as you, too, reflect on the truth that "Life is Hard, But God is Good!" Happy Banqueting today to you and yours!

And Why Shouldn't He?

Why shouldn't God move in mysterious ways? He is, after all, God. Why should He have to explain anything to me? He is, after all, God. He does not owe me any explanation for anything, and He does not need my ideas, comments, or opinions on how He should accomplish His goals. What He desires from me is praise and worship. If I could learn to praise Him---on good days and on difficult days---I believe I would see heaven open up to me in brighter ways. I would see His dream becoming my dream. I would see His goals becoming my goals. "Save me Lord from a heart of worry and self-pity and bring me instead into the light of your marvelous love. Today, I want to grasp your love...to hold it in my hand and then open my hand and let love fly out to others. Grant it Lord. Amen."

The Goodness of God

In whatever you are going through right now...this very day....God has not turned his back on you. He has not turned away from you. His desire is to be right there for you, helping you through this road called life. There are difficult turns in our journey. None of us are exempt from uncertainties and heartaches. We get through them by....well, by allowing God to go through them with us. If we turn away from Him or block Him out, we limit the opportunity He is looking for. And what is that opportunity? His desire is to mold you into His purposes and His use. In order to get there, we have to go through life's hard journey. BUT, God sees the outcome. God sees the overall growth that He desires for you. As He builds His kingdom on earth, He has trusted you to run the race He has set before you. That does not mean that some days won't be so hard that you might want to give up. Those days will come. But, we pick ourselves up and go one more day, and one wonderful day we will begin to feel His purposes springing to life inside of us. It is a marvelous journey when we look to God to mold us. His love holds you firm. He will not let you go if you will snuggle up close to His heart and let Him do His work. May the Holy Spirit find sweet residence in your life today.

Six Months Since My Husband Died

Today I am reminded of the faithfulness of God. This time last year, I took off from my job so I could stay home with my husband, Roy, who was dying from Leukemia. Everything about this season...the colors of the leaves, the smells in the air...all of it takes me back to a year ago when death hung over our heads. I remember the helpless feeling of it all. I remember wondering what I would ever do with this overwhelming sadness of losing Roy. Above the pain, however, there arose a greater hope, and that was the hope he and I both had in our Lord, Jesus Christ. It has been six months now since Roy moved his residence from earth to heaven. I know he is happy, and his body is finally well. No more needles. No more chemo. No more terrific headaches, body pain or swelling in his feet. I have been asked to speak in November at the Hospice noon lecture for those who are grieving, and the topic is "How to Get Through the Holidays." I welcome this blessing, for though I've not gotten through the holidays, my talk before the holidays would be the same as my talk after the holidays. I will get through because of God's love and strength. I am also honored to do the opening prayer at the Tree of Life Celebration at Tifton Hospital in December. If God did not bring these opportunities to my door, I would not be out looking for them, for some days it seems easier just to not do anything. But, God has called me, and He is faithful to continue that call no matter how I feel. In fact, He doesn't even ask me how I feel. He just continues to open doors.My journey of faith has nothing to do with how I feel, how I slept last night, how much I hurt. My journey of faith has everything to do with the One who died for me. I am honored He chooses to use me.

Watching God Work

I love to watch what God is up to every day. I love it that He allows me to be a participant in His work. There is no greater joy than that of telling others about Jesus and what He has done for us on the cross. His work of love should bring us the freedom that we need, the completeness that we seek, the joy that has escaped us. Instead, we often are so busy trying to "do" for Him, that we miss "being" for Him. What He desires is our hearts and a relationship with Him that is that of a deep and trusting friendship. This past weekend, I worked on a Walk to Emmaus at Camp Dooly at Heart of Georgia. What great joy it was to watch so many women begin to find themselves, their true authentic self, during this weekend. God met us there, and He was magnificent! I praise Him and honor Him for the gift of Emmaus in my life in 1990, and for the many blessed opportunitites I have had to work walks since then. One day I will be too old to work Emmaus walks, but for now, and as long as I can, I want to keep on working through this dynamic evangelistic tool called Emmaus. Have you been?

Revive Us Again!

10-15-09

We have just finished a wonderful revival at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Dr. Evelyn Laycock, from Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, came to enrich our lives and teach us more about the kingdom of God. The week went by too quickly. What a joy she is! Linda, her traveling companion, won all of our hearts with her bubbly personality and her beautiful singing voice. Our church musicians and choir were outstanding. We all feel "revived," and look forward to more growth in our individual lives. Prior to revival services, we did a six week study from Treasures of the Transformed Life by John Ed Mathison. What a book! I will want to read it again and refer to it often. It is so exciting to watch God's people get excited about revival and about a book study! Praise to the Lord for these great opportunities for Christian growth!

October 10, 2009

This is my first blog and since I am not a blogger and don't even read other blogs (yet) except an occasional one sent by a good friend, I am basically in uncharted territory. My nephew, Tyrus Clutter set my website up for me bjfunk.com as well as this blog. I wanted to use both as ministry tools. So, I think it will be fun. This morning, I am struck anew with the faithfulness of God. I am amazed that He will open a door for us, if we'll just sit back and trust Him. Like my website. Ty wrote me, "BJ, would you like a website?" and I thought, "No, not really. Why would I?" He said, "You could share your devotionals, writings and prayers that way." I still thought, "Mmmm...just not sure, but let me pray about it." I did. In only a few days, I received an email from a dear friend, and she asked this question, "Say, BJ, are your devotionals online? I'd like to have that site if you have one." Oh my. It was such a direct answer to the prayer that I wrote Ty right away, and he came up from Florida the next week to get me started. By the way, he's great and knows what he's doing, if you're interested. You can find his link on my website. I have found that when God wants a door opened in your life, he opens it easily, as if it only needs a whisper of His divine breath to open it. But, if He intends the door to be closed, He glues it shut. I love that He knows what I need better than I do. I'm thrilled that He is opening up this new method of ministry.