Some Saturday Thoughts...Debbie Kilburn

My family and I got back from Indiana Friday after visiting with my dad and mom over Thanksgiving. It was very nice. I brought my dad from the nursing home to eat Thanksgiving dinner with us. He is doing better than I have seen him in a while. He was excited to be at his house with all the family for Thanksgiving. He might be going home permanently next week.

I am writing this before I head to the church for Debbie's funeral service today. None of us are looking forward to this. I have been doing funerals for 27 years. You would think by now I could have trained myself to be emotionless at these services. But that is not the case. Even though many of the people I bury possess the fruits of salvation and I am confident are in heaven...I still find myself shedding tears throughout the ceremony. I guess this is okay. Even Jesus wept over Lazarus because he loved him and he loved those who were weeping for him. So even though we know they are in a better place, I guess it's okay to cry. We are being like Jesus...and that's always a good thing!

Debbie was special. As I will say today, she was a infuencer...a leader. I am sure Debbie never seen herself as a leader. But who she was and what she did influenced the people around her. Debbie got things done. If something needed to be done, she would volunteer to do it. Yes, she was busy. Busier than most. She was a wife, a mother, a businesswoman, a nurse, a cell leader, a Sunday School teacher, a public speaker, a counselor to many, a grandmother, a board member, and a County Comissionor's wife. But when the spirit of Christ in her saw a need she would use her giftings, time, or money to see that the need was met.

To say that Debbie's life was "a fruitful one" is an understatement. Everyday she was sowing seeds that multiplied and will be for years to come and throughout eternity. She understood thoroughly that God had appointed her to "bear fruit" and she was willing to stay connected to the Vine(Jesus) that allows for that to happen. Her relationship with Christ was the most important thing in her life and the good works (or fruit) flowed out of it.

I could go on and on. And I am sure in the days ahead I will write some more about Debbie. Today we will cemomorate her wonderful life. Yes, we will do it with tears only because like Jesus we loved her.

-Pastor