June 25, 2021 Arrangements for Steve
Most of you in Virginia know that Steve is from the Chicago suburbs. He loves the White Sox, the Bears, the Bulls and always his beloved Northern Illinois University Huskies. His heart has always been in two places. That being said, we are having two memorials for him. We will be starting in Purcellville, VA at Purcellville Baptist Church on 7/5 at 7pm with a Night of Worship and Remembrance. There will be no lines to wait in, an open house style celebration. We will have time for worship music and time for anyone to share memories or thoughts about Steve as well as just being together, comforting, laughing and I am sure some tears too.
On 7/6 we will have the Memorial service at 1 with a reception following. I would ask that you dress comfortably. Comfortable was Steve's favorite. No suits required! He so loved driving around in his jeep with no doors or lid in the mountains or on the beach. He loved going to Harper's Ferry and just walking and sitting along the river as he talked to God. I also realize that July 4th is a time for wonderful family vacations! If you are scheduled for vacation, Take It! I promise that we can catch up and spend some time when you are back.
For those around Illinois, we are having a Memorial Service for Steve at St. Mary Immaculate Parrish in Plainfield on 7/12 at 1030 and a reception at the American Legion a mile from that. Unfortunately, Illinois rules are more strict so we were unable to meet at the Church, and we were blessed to find a place to gather. We will be able to share stories and thoughts at the reception.
Virginia:
7/5/21 7pm Night of Worship and Sharing Purcellville Baptist Church 601 Yaxley Dr. Purcellville, VA 20132
7/6/21 1pm Memorial service and reception Purcellville Baptist Church
7/12/21 10:30am St. Mary Immaculate Parrish 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield, IL 60544 Reception following at American Legion Plainfield.
I was talking to a dear friend who talked to me about a mantle. I think of Elijah in 2Kings 2:1-14. Elijah carried a physical and spiritual mantle for The Lord. The mantle was a physical covering that represents a call to service, protection, sanctification and relationship with The Lord. It translates to mean Glorious, Powerful, Noble and Worthy. Elisha (his mentee) knew that The Lord was going to take Elijah up that day and Elisha refused to leave his side. Elijah also knew he was going to be taken up and asked Elisha what he wanted before he left. Elisha asked for his mantle and Elijah told him that if he saw him taken away, then God granted his request. Elisha saw the chariots of fire and horses and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. There are so many layers of this story that are so applicable to what we are going through, but will save that for another time. A mantle is passed down from one believer to the next, and it can also come straight from The Lord, like Paul in the New Testament. Elijah passed his mantle down to Elisha. I think of the generational faith of Steve's family as well as mine, and how the mantle of faith was passed from parents to children. Even when there seems to be no lineage of faith in our earthly families, we have our Abba Father to run to and receive this mantle straight from Him or from the people He places in our lives. The disciples received the mantle from Jesus, they passed it down to others who received it in their hearts and ran with it. However you come by it, PICK IT UP, PUT IT ON, and GO! Steve's faith was so important to him, he passed down his mantle to those he walked with and mentored and shared Jesus with. You, without knowing it, also pass down your God-given mantle to others as you minister to others. Please don't put it down and render it useless. Dig in to His word, gather to pray, study and worship. Grow in your relationship with Jesus.
In Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah is prophesying about the coming of Jesus:
The Spirit of the Lord [a]God is upon me,
Because the Lord anointed me
To bring good news to the humble;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim [b]release to captives
And [c]freedom to prisoners;
2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
So they will be called [d]oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Jesus came to do all these amazing things and now that we have Jesus in our hearts, we are also called forth to pick up that mantle to bring the Good news, to lift up the broken, minister to captives and prisoners (and share the truth), comfort those in mourning and pick up the hope, the garland, the crown instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of discouragement! We mourn, but don't mourn as if we have no hope. The Bible is clear that those who are in Jesus, leave behind their earthly bodies and begin eternal life in Heaven where we will all be reunited! God is our source of our "Mantle of Praise" and we praise Him for His Son, Jesus and we praise Him for all the blessings we receive here. That doesn't mean that like is easy or without terrible things here, but we recognize that this is not our home, it is a broken world and we choose to seek what The Lord is doing, seek His blessings, seek His face in the midst. I choose to pick up the mantle of praise and Praise Him for allowing me to have had Steve in my life for 33 years, Praise Him for allowing me to see The Lord working through Him, praise Him for allowing us two beautiful daughters and two awesome families, and the list goes on forever! I weep and praise at the same time. I choose to pick up the mantle of our call to service. We are each called in different ways, none more important than another, don't miss it. PICK UP that mantle and GO forth. Ask Him, if you don't know what or where or how. Ask Him to quiet and comfort breaking hearts, racing minds, doubts, fears or anything else in the way. He will come.
As we walk forward in this, what I call, time of transition, when I expect to hear his voice, or remember silly things like, he isn't driving me somewhere or getting me my coffee or how he holds his pup Bea or the banter between him and Riley and Kaiti. Those things that bring forth tears of such sadness, but at the same time praise for having had those moments. I am so thankful for all those moments and for the Lord recalling many as I go about my day. In Psalm 30:11-12, I love the poetic version this time as it speaks to my heart.
Comments
- Janet MarshHeather, your faith is so beautiful, pure, and authentic, and so are you. While I never met Steve, it was evident to me in the short time our paths crossed, that God brought the two of you together. I thank God for your time with Steve and for the blessing of your children. You continue to be a bright light in my world. The Providence community loves you and is here to help in any way you might need during this difficult time. 🙏💕6/26/21
- Linda and Bill CostanzoBEAUTIFUL!6/25/21
- Margey O'BrienHeather, in what could be your darkest days, you are an inspiration, bringing hope and love. Holding you and the girls close to my heart and in my prayers. ❤️6/25/21
- Linda ShanahanAmen. That truly is what God wants us to do🤗🤗6/25/21
- Alicia ClarkBeautifully said, Heather!! I will continue to pray for you in the days ahead. May we all pick up our mantle and run the race the Lord has set before us. ❤️6/25/21
- Sabrina CombsThank you Heather for being God’s vessel pouring out beautiful thoughts, words and praise. You are such a light. We continue to pray for you, Kaiti, Riley, Adam and all of Steve’s family.6/25/21
- Olawunmi FajobiVery well written, Heather. Love you.6/25/21
- Tina SellentinAmen 💕6/25/21
- Jan MarieYou are remarkable, and we serve a remarkable God.6/25/21
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