Show Up

Today, while sitting in a home-going service, it hit me that I’ve been to three funerals in the past four days. It is the plight of a pastor, yet still a sobering thought to think that three times in four days I’ve seen the stream of painful tears run down the faces of the bereaved; three times I’ve seen families take the final look at their loved one as the casket slowly closed; three times I’ve heard preachers give words of comfort to fill in the gaps of uncertainty and grief. I was only on the program at one of the services, yet in four days I’ve attended three funerals.
 
Honestly, I’m not a fan of funerals, but I attend them for the simple fact that there is power in showing up. I learned this power at the funerals of my parents’ as dozens and dozens of people showed up in respect, love and solidarity. Of course, many of the people were dear friends and loved ones, but several faces were only vaguely familiar.
 
As I sat gazing at my mother’s lifeless body, I recall a shadow that caught my attention. As I broke the gaze to satisfy my curiosity, my eyes were greeted by a group of friendly faces from my church. This would have been expected, only the faces I saw were not totally familiar. Instead, they were people who I had no idea would even show up. Leaders of my church and community who I didn’t even know knew my name; classmates I hadn’t seen in 10+ years; friends from out of state. People near and far showed up.
 
While my parents’ funerals are a blur and I cannot tell you what scripture was read and I do not remember the sermon titles, I do remember who showed up. To this very day, I thank God for each and every person who showed up.