Grace.

There was an almost tangible, steady flow of incoming grace throughout the whole day. Your prayers should have been counted in the attendance.

There is something I would like to share with you first, though. When you attend a funeral or viewing, you often do not know what to say. I know I don't. As I stood in the receiving line last night, I began to notice a pattern in the words that touched me the deepest.

"Your grandfather was a pillar of our church. Sunday won't be the same without him."

"You grandfather was my hero."

Even better: "I remember the first Sunday we visited the church. He welcomed us and took us out to dinner. That really impressed me."

My grandfather's torch burned bright. Letting us know more about his torch helps my cousins and me better pick it up. Granted, not everyone at a viewing or funeral will have known the deceased personally. But if did something special for you or there's something you remember about his character, please share it.

My grandfather always appreciated his pastors. But there was a pastor whom he especially loved and befriended. This pastor is now ministering at another church. A few years ago, my grandfather had asked him if he would be a part of his funeral someday. This pastor expressed that he would be honored, and when he heard of my grandfather's death, he wanted to be there today. A man found out about this and paid for the plane ticket. The pastor was able to fly in and speak at the funeral today, which meant a lot to our family.

My message went well. I struggled a few times with tears. But I noticed something about myself in the process. The tears were not for my grandfather. They were tears of joy, deep emotional response at the thought of God's amazing, overwhelming love. I've wondered before if I were cold. But I've just been blessed that everyone of my relatives who have passed away have been believers. I don't see their deaths as great losses. They merely passed through a door to a better life that I cannot yet pass through. It is just a matter of time until we are reunited.

I am still praying that God will bless the message I gave. I hope that my presentation of Christ was clear and that a seed was planted in someone that will be used as a means of grace for them.