“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:12
“He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me” Psalm 50:23
What better way to look at a Monday and start a week than by praising our God?
Today is a special Praise Monday for me. Today, 31 years ago, my father passed away. He died of a sudden death heart attack. On this day there was no warning, he simply went up to take a nap. A short while later, my mom went to check on him, he was gone. This is one of the most traumatic events of my life. I was overseas serving in the USAF when the chaplain showed at my door to break this news. I flew half way around the world in the next 36 hours to get home or the funeral.
““I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “ John 11:25-26
I’ll never forget the night I arrived. My mom managed to get the funeral home to keep the doors open so I could see my dad, despite my 2 AM arrival time. I cried as I looked at my dad. Alone with him, I gave him the wings off my uniform in hope they’d help him ‘fly’ home and I cried. Jesus was there that night with me. As I cried, I said, “I will miss you, dad. But, I’ll see you again.” Despite not pursuing my faith for many years, I knew I’d see my dad again.
Years later, I consoled my son at the funeral of my wife’s grandmother. I told him, “tears are ok, the hurt is ok. Our heart breaks in moments like this because we realize how homesick we are.”
Give praise to God even in the tough days and rough anniversaries and memories. Give praise to God when we face our greatest loss. For we know, Jesus told us that He is “the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me…everyone who believes in me will never die.”
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
“I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!” Psalm 34:2-4