God bless you, Brother Harry

What a day.
For folks who don't go to church, what I mean may sound strange, but today was one of those services where I was touched by the music and message to the point of tears.
I was swept up in peace and just couldn't contain it.
It was pretty awesome.
Then, we received news that one of the greatest men I have ever had the joy of knowing passed away while we were in church.
He wasn't there, and there was a note in the bulletin about his health.
He has been fighting cancer and was physically dwindling away, so it wasn't a shock.
For some reason, when I read the bulletin and realized he wasn't there, I knew it was time.
And then, when I realized his family members that were there were slowly leaving one by one, and I saw tears, I knew it had happened.
Junia and I both did.
I began to cry again when the guest speaker, Pastor Walter, announced that Brother Harry had gone to be with the Lord.
Pastor Clayton said we should celebrate Brother Harry's life and celebrate how he had touched our lives.
I've known this man since I was a kid.
As my family was one of the first families to start the church, I knew Brother Harry and his family.
I've always loved them.
It's saddening that one of the great Warriors of God is gone.
One of the great and inspiring men in the church body, and in my life, is gone.
Two or three weeks ago, he approached my grandfather, who is also weak with disease, and he prayed for my grandfather.
I cried then, watching these two frail but powerful men pray together.
Fighting the emotions of sadness and wishing amazing people like them would stay and continue to existed with us, I realize they suffered and then release into what is so unknown to us is peace, whatever the extent.
As a Christian, I believe that Brother Harry has gone to Heaven.
If anyone deserves to go to Heaven, it is most certainly that man.
Still, I cry.
His family cries.
Church family members will cry.
It's all a part of life, as I've been told before.
It sucks and it doesn't.
It makes me thankful that I do believe in God.
I find peace in that death isn't the final step in our existence.

So, I pray for Brother Harry's family.
May they each find peace in this situation, through their mourning and through their being together and supporting each other.
Amen.