Last Friday I drove 3 hours to attend a funeral. I’m usually not much for funerals, but this was the father of my friend Dee Green. The funeral was a typical funeral till the end. When the preacher was finally through preaching, Dee got up and spoke about his father. I was amazed at the strength it must have taken him to stand up at his own father’s funeral and talk. Dee talked about his dad, the life he lived as a Christian father and what he meant to his family. He did a fantastic job honoring his father and his father’s memory. I’m not sure I could have kept my composure, but Dee did very well.
As I sat there listening to Dee talk about his father with such pride and love, I was convicted. I was moved as I began to think to myself, “Am I living in such a way that my boys would be willing to speak with pride at my funeral about me?” I thought, “Can I make such a difference in my children’s lives that they’d be willing to speak about me at my funeral?” It was right then that I bowed my head and asked the Lord to please give me wisdom to live a life that would make my children proud.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 23 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Amen brother!
Trey,
your boys will have plenty to talk about. I hope every kid could have a father at home they look up to. Your boys sure do.
Mythical
From what I know about you, you are living that life and have been for many years. But you are right … we need to be intentional about living such a life, not only so our kids could speak in such a way at our funeral, but because it brings much honor to the Lord Jesus.
Not sure if I ever told you but thanks for being that person to speak at my Dads funeral. It was more than our family could have asked for.
-Tiffany
Trey I definitely think your boys would be honored to speak at your funeral. There will be a line out the door of those wishing to share all the wonderful things you have done for each of us throughout the years. You have impacted my life in ways I would have never imagined.
Trey -
Thoughtful post and one worth thinking about as we live our lives.
When my dad died in Abilene in 1996, I had been with my mom & dad for about a week helping them at home with my dad’s last illness and death.
I decided that I wanted to speak at my dad’s funeral at Hillcrest church and so I stayed up for a couple of days and nights writing everything out that I wanted to say because I knew I couldn’t do it unless I had it well prepared.
I DID talk of my dad (& mom) at his funeral and was really glad that I did. I was determined (and prayerful) that I not break down and I didn’t. There was just one moment, not long before I got up to speak, that I weakened, but God helped me through it and I was determined to honor my dad in that way.
Lord willing, when it is time for my mom to go, I will be able to do the same for her because I think it is only those who are closest to us who can pay the best tribute to a Christian life well lived.
Much love to you all today!
Dee
You make that difference in my life..
#5
Tiff – I was honored to speak at your dad’s funeral. And I was honored to be his friend.
Brooke: Thanks
Dee: Powerful. I am amazed by your strength. I know you honored your dad in an amazing way.
Thanks #5 – right back at ya!
You have chosen the best things…
Trey you are a “father” to so many, but I am certain that your boys are and will continue to be proud of their dad. In the words of one “fat neck,” “I love him and I know he loves me.” excellent post today thanks for the reminder of what is truly my most important assignment.
Good stuff my friend. You are chock full of sermon starters and illustrations.
Keep up the great work for the Kingdom!
Ellis
You’ve shown the love of Christ to me in so many ways in the time we’ve known each other… you might actually cause dissension in the brotherhood because SO MANY people want to speak at your funeral!
in HIS love,
Nick
Your thought betray you Trey. I don’t think your sons have anything to worry about. Dad is showing them a living spiritual legacy right now.
Trey,
I too was at that funeral as well as the one that morning for Dee’s uncle. BJ’s son also spoke and I was left with the same feeling you had….when my time on this earth is done will my children be able to say half the things these two sons said? Will my children have the relationship with God that I wish for them (and try to teach and show)?
Both Dee and Ross challenged me Friday.
So many things we worry about in life don’t matter and so many things we don’t worry about….focus on DO MATTER.
RaDonna
Trey -
Man I def. think there is no worries in that part of your life! You are a great daddy! Man how I long to give my child the things I see you instill in your boys… It has been great getting to know you dude and pray we continue to grow in our friendship…
Trey, you enrich our lives in untold ways by the way you minister to us through God’s word and in every thoughtful deed you do on a daily basis. There is no way to express the appreciation we have for the kind words you have written and for your presence at the funeral this last Wednesday. Both have meant so much to all of us. You truly show that Christ is living in you. One more thing– you can believe it–your boys will have plenty of wonderful and warm things to say when you pass from this life to life eternal with our Heavenly Father. God Bless you as you live for and serve Him. SG
You are an awesome Dad, one of the best I’ve ever known. My sympathy
to Dee, I know he has been a great influence in your life. gmj
My Dad spoke at his parent’s funeral, and knowing my dad like you do, it was hard to watch him get up and know the heart break and hear the sadness in his voice. But isn’t that deep caring and tenderness what it’s all about? To see him tear up is not something that happens often and just brought the point home of how important each of them were to him. On the other hand, sometimes the hurt is just too much for people to put words to, just like when we wrote letters about Darrell at his funeral. As a parent, I can’t imagine being able to write a letter describing just how special your child was, let alone speak! Copying what your friend Tiffany said, you will never know how much it meant to our family to have you speak on about Darrell, knowing that he was such a special friend to you and knowing you knew our love. Thanks!
You know, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they say. I know one special lady and two awesome man who did an impeccable job raising you in the Lord. I’m sure they all would join me in saying, “Don’t worry, Trey. Your boys will sing your praises when you are gone.” Jenny