The Funeral

It worked out, but getting there was a bit odd...

On Wednesday the local funeral home was planning for a service today.  Arrangements had been made with a local pastor (this is entirely too small of a town to name names or even denominations) to conduct the service at 1:00 p.m.  The pastor met with the widower.  He was 70 and had been married for 41 years.  For the service he wanted something very simple for his wife - its what she wanted.  The local pastor met with him.  The local pastor told him that simple was not good enough.  The local pastor told him what needed to happen.  When the widower objected the local pastor raised her voice and told him how wrong he was.  The widower sent the local pastor packing.  I get the call yesterday that they would like to try me out for size.  I am to meet with them at 1:00 p.m. yesterday, but the widower changed plans and said to meet this morning.  Late yesterday afternoon I get the call that he will meet with me at 12:30 p.m. today - 30 minutes before the service is to begin!  I had expected a very angry opinionated person, what I found was a very kind gentleman in severe grief.  He only needed someone from "the church" to listen to him.  I did and he was very grateful.  The widower gave me more hugs today than my wife!  Only thing left to do is find the local pastor and tell her what an idiot she is.  Is that being judgmental? 

Note to self: As an Ambassador of Christ one should never (ever) yell at the widower. 

When did what we think become so important that we became callous to the needs of a broken heart?