Having the last word is usually a pride thing for most people. They always "have to have the last word in edge wise." In my most recent case however, it was a little different. Having the last word was something I would have loved to defer for sure. Instead of the traditional last word, I had to say the last word(s) at a funeral. Granted, I have done several funerals since entering into full time ministry, however none like this. I never personally met the deceased man nor his family. Also, he was in his forties and committed suicide. Ouch! Lastly, he had HIV and was homosexual. So, I began to think and pray. What could I say? What should I say? In the end, I feel as though it totally worked out, and it was a God thing that I presided over the funeral proceedings. I say that because my uncle committed suicide as well. Thus, I could be honest when I told the family, "I know what you are going through."
Here is my question to you. What would you say in this situation? How would you respond? Have you ever been in this situation? What would you say if you had the ultimate responsibility of having the Last Word as God's representative to the family of a man suffering from HIV that committed suicide? What would you say about God's thoughts? Or would you say?
