Thankful Thursday ...acceptance

Gary & Dominique



My sister and I are complete opposites. We always have been and frankly, we are okay with that. As we age, I think we are really more alike than different. Anyway, I remember one day having a conversation about the kinds of people she hung out with compared with my friends. She used to be what we called, "A partier". My siblings used to think of excuses about why they had to skip school and I had perfect attendance. Go figure. Only God knows why we were so different. My sister and I were talking about how people end up in certain circles. She told me how most fall into popular, athletic, smart etc. groups. She said she was accepted by the kids who smoked and didn't have to be good at anything or look a certain way. The funeral we attended this morning was full of similar people. I saw a lot of tattoos. I am NOT judging anyone, I just noticed a lot of them. Gary was obviously a guy who beat to his own drummer. He had so many friends from all walks of life. He was loved by so many!

I thought about something. Last week I talked about how thankful I was that he was baptized again recently. God orchestrated the neatest time for him. He did a lot of finish carpenter work and the group of guys he worked with invited him to church. No coincidence. He spent the past 6-8 months asking many questions until he was ready to accept Jesus as his personal Savior a month ago.

Gary was a musician. I heard he had been in 15 different rock and roll bands. Most or all of them were there today. His best friend sung this song...


You know, as I reflect on today I can't help but think about the many lives Gary touched. I am a little sad that God took him before he had the chance to share his new relationship with Jesus with all of his friends. I know he inspired many through his music. He wanted to teach anyone to play the guitar. They played 2 songs he taped. One was called, "Baby's Eyes"... that he dedicated to his daughter. There was not a dry eye in the place. He also sang another one about rainbows. The priest commented on the fact that it was the first time he heard anyone sing at their own funeral. That's Gary. I know he would have encouraged many of his friends to make Jesus their Savior since he was such a passionate guy.

...Then I thought about it for a little bit longer. God could have taken Gary right away at the time he fell down the stairs. He was not breathing until his friend gave him CPR. He was able to hang on for three more days until his family had to make the most difficult decision to stop life support. During those long days, the Buckner family was surrounded by the Pastor of his new church and the music Pastor. The family said they never left his side and were there to offer comfort and prayers like the family had never experienced. It was a sweet time for the parents who would have never had this opportunity if he had gone immediately. It was a gift Gary got to share with his parents and his brothers and sisters. His mother told me Gary had not told them about being born again because he probably feared they would judge him since he was brought up with a different religion. His parents had just seen him a couple of days before the accident and just knew he was different. They said his face even looked different and he was peaceful and calm. They had the best time they had had in years. The Pastor told his parents they all loved Gary and his Spirit.

Gary was Christ to all of his friends. He loved and accepted anyone and everyone. He was also Christ to his family. I think when all is said and done, his parents will remember and be comforted. They will know without a shadow of doubt their son is in the hands of God. He couldn't be in any better hands. I have to believe his life was sacrificed so his parents could meet a God who loves them dearly. Please, Lord let them have eyes to see You. God is so good and that's what I want to believe on this THANKFUL THURSDAY!



Jesus spent time with ALL kinds of people and I am inspired by Him. He didn't just hang around people who were the same or who believed in Him. I think as Christians it is easier to spend our time with people who have our same beliefs. We are called to love everyone! I pray we can be that kind of people. Please join me in prayer for us, Siestas!
Love,
Angie xoxo