Today we celebrated the life of a friend, Warren. I have known Warren since August. In the short time I’ve known him, he was a joy to be around. He would always want to pick a “fight” with me. Throw me in a head-lock. Would I fight back? No. I knew he could take me. But, thats how Warren showed his affection… like so many other boys.
I had a strange moment after the memorial service, while we were eating sandwiches. A friend of Warrens, from the home he was living in, spoke about him. She shared how he was compassionate, loved his friends, loved the Lord, and that Warren made her a better person in the few months she had known him. After she shared, I heard Warrens brother say, “I’m glad he found compassion, because when we knew him, he didn’t”. You see, Warren was estranged from his family for nearly 20 years. They didn’t know Warren the way that a lot of us knew Warren. This saddens me. How tragic that his family didn’t know a man full of compassion and joy. How sad.
It is strange how there are people in our lives who know us in vastly different ways. Yet, these different stories of one man combine into one story. A story of hurt, chaos, love, loss, and finally redemption and restoration. Isn’t this a story we all know? Isn’t this the story we all share? Some stories don’t end like Warrens, a celebration. But, they are all a part of the Story we all live.
I am encouraged by Warrens openness to God. May follow Warrens example to be open to be used, be loved by, to love, and trust God who pursues us towards restoration…
