February 14, 2007                 Funeral Sermon for Ray, a.k.a., “Van”

 

As I remember Ray, I think of his house in Crowley. I’ll remember all the huge collection of baseball hats he had, and the pictures of his family on the walls. And the flag flying in the front yard. He told me he had been there for many, many years, and took pride in it. He recalled that when they moved there, Crowley was just a small town outside the city. Then recently, after Ray’s health failed, he decided to spend his last days at home in his house. Ray loved that house.  It was his home.

 

 

It reminds me of my own father’s house. The human memory is a powerful thing cannot be altered even by death. My own father died about 12 years ago. My mother lives in that same house still. When I go to visit, I remember so many things he said, the conversations we had, and the things we did in that house as a family.

 

It is good to hold onto those memories. I can say that your memories of Ray in his earthly house will keep him alive in you, and that is a great comfort. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

 

It’s sad to say, but today, Ray no longer lives in that house in Crowley. June and family, I’m sorry. I know the house will not be the same without him in there. Ray’s daughters and grandchildren and even grandchildren, I know that you will always remember all that happened growing up in that house.

 

We live in many kinds of houses. The body itself is a kind of house that our soul lives in. We look at the pictures of Ray in this life, and realize that Ray is no longer in that body in which he once lived. But we will remember him in that body because we cannot imagine what he or anyone else would look like in a heavenly body. While we cannot imagine the promise of eternal life, the promise gives us hope that beyond the grave Jesus opens the door to eternal life with him to all who follow him.

 

The church is also a house built to the glory of God. Ray also loved his church house, and the people inside. In recent years, Ray made it clearly understood that he would have been here for worship if he could have been here. He was proud to be a charter member of the Leisure Group, and hoped to come to every meeting. Years ago, he also served on the church council. He truly considered his church family to be like his own family.

 

Last week, in one of my last visits with Ray, I recited Psalm 23. I’m thinking of the last verse, "and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Today from John, we read Jesus promise, "In my Father's house are many rooms."