I had the honor of conducting a funeral service for a very dear lady last weekend. It was important that the message of Christ and His salvation be presented. It is always a challenge to do that well in times like this. I got an idea. What if Lily could just tell them herself? I decided that a “Letter from Lily” would be the most appropriate.

 

Before I post the letter, let me give you a little background. Lily carried a gun, and everyone knew it. The night she was dying, she seemed to linger longer than some expected she would. As I was there in the hospital with her, watching, my mind began to drift. Why, knowing that she knows Jesus, does she just not run into His presence? I kind of laughed inside when I thought, I know what happened, she got hung up at the gates of heaven because of that gun! Funny maybe, but certainly something that she would have appreciated. That was the introduction to the “Letter From Lily.”

 

Hi all,

Well, I finally made it! Yes, there was that little situation at the gate. Who would have dreamed that there would be metal detectors here! As soon as I started having problems getting through, I immediately thought about the stupid oxygen tank and its cart, thinking my goodness, if they have trouble with a little old .38, what is going to happen with the cart? As I turned around to show the guy at the gate and explain how important it is that I have it, I realized it was gone. That’s right, it was gone! Oh no! I can’t go anywhere without my oxygen! I admit, I panicked a little. Immediately, I reached into my pocket for my inhaler thinking that if I didn’t have the tank, I would surely need my inhaler. To my surprise, it too was gone. Wow, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I am able to breath.

 

With a great big breath of the cleanest, easiest air I have ever experienced, I walked on to what looked like some sort of registration table. It was a little chaotic, seems there were people there who did not have things in order. I heard a lot of comments like “I have been a good person.” or “There must be some mistake.” I heard one lady trying to give the guy the address and phone number of the church that she had attended for 30 years. She was telling him, “No, really just call my pastor, he will tell you that I should be allowed in.” There was a lot of confusion at that table. I must admit, I was a little concerned as I waited there in line. Pretty soon, I saw someone point in my direction and say, “oh, she is one of His.” I looked around to see who they were talking about but realized he was looking right at me. Pastor, it is true, as they moved me passed the rest of the line, right to the front, I heard those words that you kept telling me about, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.” Yes, it is true. Though I have always hoped to hear those words, I was still surprised when they were said to me like that. They didn’t even ask about all of the other stuff I had done, it was as if I had a special VIP pass. Whoa! That was cool. The guy that was leading me through did kind of chuckle at one point. He said “you are the one that led that person to Christ in the restroom at the MGM aren’t you? We all got quite a laugh out of that.” Oh no, you all remember that stuff? I nervously looked around for that “Arab” that I experienced on the airplane. There he was! He seemed to be over the whole thing, I think we will be fine. Pastor, please be sure to tell them that there is only one way through that gate. It isn’t because of what church you attend or what kind of things you have done, it really is only possible to get through if you are one of His.

 

As soon as I got through the gate, I started asking for two things. I mean, two things after I let the whole gun thing go. First, I want to see Jesus. And second, where do I sign up for the food pantry? I got the most joy in serving the people of the food pantry, it only seemed right that I do it here too. Again, he laughed at me. “Food pantry? Oh, there is none of that here. There is no need. Everyone here has all they need.” “However”, he assured me, “Jesus has a very special place in His heart for people like you, those who serve those who haveneeds.” Hmm, no food pantry, imagine that. Well, I said, then take me to see Jesus.

 

Pastor, do you remember how during those communion services you would always tell us to try and put ourselves at the table with Christ? To imagine ourselves sitting at the table with Christ and all of the disciples sitting around? Well, I did it. Every time you suggested it, I tried. I tried to imagine the sounds and the smells. I tried to hear His voice and imagine what that day would be like. Oh, so many times I thought I had it! I was so convinced that I was right there in the middle of it all. Well, keep telling the people to do that. Keep encouraging them to imagine themselves in that spot but, pastor, just between the two of us, it is just not possible to fully experience what I am experiencing here today. No, nothing I could have imagined prepared me for what I experienced at the table with Jesus. He lifted the cup, and, just as you said, He gave thanks for it. His prayer was so beautiful and sincere. He drank from the cup and then handed it to me. I was so nervous. You know how many times my old shaking hands spilled those crazy little cups? You really should not fill them so full! But, as he handed it to me, I was so amazed to see that my hands were as steady as a rock. There was no shake in them at all! With great confidence and humility, I accepted His cup and celebrated communion with Jesus like I have never experienced before. It may have had something to do with the fact that He used real wine in Hiscup. Oh man, it had a bit more kick than the stuff you use! You should look into that… I know, I know, the Church of the Nazarene Manual says… I’m just sayin.

 

I got so caught up in the whole communion experience that I didn’t realize that I was at the table with others that I know. You know a bunch of them to! It was so great to be reunited with the friends and family of old. It was like we had never been apart. Pastor, they asked me to let you and the church know that they really appreciate all of the prayers. They also asked me to encourage you and the rest of the church to keep on fighting the good fight, don’t give up. They reminded me and asked me to remind you that they are a part of that great cloud of witnesses, cheering and encouraging the saints of God to continue running the race. Keep on pastor, it is all true and so much more than you could possibly even imagine.

 

After we got done at the table, I was led to my new home. It was so great, the heat was turned up full blast and I was finally warm! Can you believe it. I did leave my sweater on but I think it was more of a habit than anything else.

 

Pastor, I want to leave you with a few thoughts. First, I know that there are those that are grieving for me today. To tell them not to would be silly so what I will tell you is, go ahead and grieve for a while. Go ahead, get it out. But then stop. Don’t get caught up in all of that boo hoo stuff. This place is awesome and I am blessed beyond belief to be here. Everything that I had hoped it would be and more.The only thing that will make it better is for all of you to be here with me – in due time of course. So, go ahead and grieve but then get back to doing what you should be doing. Go, tell everyone that I am home and it is only because of the blood of Jesus – nothing else. Please, make that so clear – IT IS ONLY BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST THAT I HAVE BEEN SAVED.

 

Second, please tell my family how proud I am of each and every one of them. To be a part of their lives has been the greatest thing in mine. Let them know that I love them and feel their love for me. There has been nothing greater in life than to be a part of them. I still am, things are just different now. Tell them to keep on looking to God, He will lead them home.

 

Next, to my church. I love you all so much. Keep focused. Stay on task and, if you do nothing else, tell the world of the amazing love of Christ. Nothing else matters. Really, nothing else matters. Pastor, you know that I have always told you to be all things to all men and to love the people. I mean it, love them. Not just those in the church but those outside to. You can do it, I know you can.

 

You know, in the last few years of my time at Lemmon Valley, my ministry was with the food pantry. I loved that so much. Walking into the hallway and getting the people together for prayer was such a blessing to me. I imagine pastor that that is how you feel each time you bring the church together. They are my people and I love them with passion. To stand with them and to be able to serve them was certainly a highlight in my life. Please take good care of them. No, I won’t be there to pray with them in the hall anymore but, be assured that I am praying for them up here now.

 

Well, I have to go. Things here are busy. I love you all and am looking forward to being with you again. Mourn for a moment but live out the rest of your life with passion. Laugh as often as you can and love as much as possible and, always remember, I love you but God loves you more.

Lily.