Shield About Them
Yesterday I attended the funeral for the father our my friend Val Durrington. It was a family-led funeral: eulogy, songs, scripture, prayer, and message (by Val).
I’ll never forget when three of the grandchildren got up and sang “Shield About Me.” It was beautiful, yes. But that’s not it.
Their mother, Vicky (Val’s older sister), was a dear friend of ours during the years I preached in Searcy, as was her husband, Chris. When she came down with cancer, she begged God for five years for the sake of her children — five years which, against odds, she received before her death 12-15 years ago.
I’ve wondered about those three precious kids. Then yesterday, I saw them with both sorrow and deep joy as they sang,
Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me.
You’re my glory.
You’re the lifter of my head.
What a witness to their mother’s love that lives on in them, to their father’s willingness to keep going even in grief, to the care of family and friends, and to God’s faithfulness.
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There’s an article about my transition in today’s Abilene Reporter-News. Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Vicky’s influence is still present in Searcy…….and will be for many years to come.
DU
Boy, I miss the blog for a couple of days….
Mike, you are going to continue to be a wonderful servant of our Lord. I am so excited for you and for your new direction. I look forward to learning more about it and taking the journey with you.
As a high school teacher for over twenty years, it is my joy (and sorrow) to send these beautiful kids out into the world. These days they go into a world overwhelmed with technology and all the fun/danger/unity/divisiveness it brings. I worry about them and pray for them…always have and always will. It has been a pleasure recently to stay in touch with many of them via Facebook. It allows me to talk to them about things which weren’t allowed in the classroom. They are open. They are ready.
I can’t think of anyone better than you to help them (all of whom I think of as “my kids”) find their way to Christ.
Beautiful story, brother.
Grant and I agreed that the dynamic at the funeral was out of the ordinary, yet very healthy. What an amazing story that whole family has. And, yes, the three kids of Chris and Vicky singing together was hauntingly comforting.
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
I know two 18-29 year olds who have lost their way…I will stay tuned:)
I remember the video of your interview with Vicki many years ago. I remember still what she said that still impacts my heart today. She said she counted it a privilege that God counted her worthy to suffer for him. Every time I get in a spiritual dead in and can’t see what God wants from me I remember that and am grateful to her still for her insight and grace. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
How beautiful — is the body of Christ!
How beautiful is the Durrington family!
The entire memorial service focused on what the Spirit of GOD can and will do to form, empower and shield a family. What a blessing that the Durrington family shared with all of us in attendance! It made “Surely we have a delightful inheritance” a tangible, 21st century story.