It is Well...

  Sterling just happened to be in Childress, Texas, right outside of Dallas this past weekend speaking at one of our partner churches.  And because of that, he had the privilege of being able to attend our former pastor's prayer service and visit his family in their home last night.  He got to spend an hour talking and reminiscing with his two sons, and just was so blessed to be able to be there, to let them and their mom know how much we love them, and how much they mean to us, even though we haven't lived there in almost 15 years.  We were in Plano for only a few short years and yet in that short time we fell in love with the students there, and have friendships with two ministers Sterling served with that we will forever cherish.  Sterling had the chance to see so many of them last night, all grown up now with their own families!  It was bittersweet to say the least. This afternoon Sterling and I watched the funeral service live on the Internet.  I am overwhelmed with emotion, which is why I decided to journal.  Shane and Shane sang a few songs after the message was brought.  They sang "Be Near Oh God" and went into "It is Well".  At first all you could see was the stage. But as the congregation stood, the camera zoomed out, and we could see the backs of the family on the first row.  And as the part of the song "and whatever my lot, thou hath taught me to say, even so, It is well, with my soul" was sung, we watched as his two sons lifted their hands as far up in the air as they could possibly reach and spread out as far wide as they could spread them, and they praised God and gave Him all the glory despite their sorrow.  All the while, the youngest son with his other hand wrapped around his mom.  It was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  I will never forget it.