My dad died on Friday night. He was told that I was on my way to Australia and that means a lot. He went quite suddenly – his time had come and it wasnt a surprise. I am glad he didnt have to attend his youngest son’s funeral – “No father should have to bury his son” (LOTR)
So tomorrow we have Lewis’s funeral and the day after we have dad’s. Who would have thought they would go out together?
This morning we were picking coffins and signing papers.
How am I? I am well – yes I am grieving, double grieving, in an emotionally complex way. I am also trying to be a big brother for my two sisters who just arrived this morning in Queensland, and trying to be a support for my mother, who also came this morning.
Australians are wonderful people and i couldnt choose a better country for this to happen in. Aussies are unfettered by compilcated processes and just tell the truth as they see it. Case in point – My Aunty Olwen (who i am staying with) told one of her friends at the bowling club yeserday that i had come over for my brother’s funeral and now ended up with two funerals.
“Saves you an extra trip”, he quickly offered
“Yes”, I replied, “very convenient”
Ahhhhhhh . . . I just love the Aussies because they say it like it is.
I will say more later. I wont be posting anything interesting this week, apart from thoughts about my brother and dad and what happens this week. I’m taking the week off, and i wont be doing any meetings. anywhere. I leave Australia Friday night and will be in London Saturday night – I wont be teaching a seminar at the Emergent Conference, but you can go and hear Jonny Baker who is speaking at the same time. [Didnt i say the same thing about Nashville 6 months ago?]
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
I dont say that lightly. I lost 2 of the dearest people to me in the world. It bloody hurts. But at the same time i am grateful to have had a dad for so long and am thankful for the right timing.
Thoughts and prayers are with you from Arizona USA
Really sorry to hear about your dad, Andrew. I know how much he was a hero to you. My prayers are with you and the family, mate.
More thoughts and prayers from the tip of Africa too….
many, many prayers for you today
praying for you now bro.
What a heartbreak!
Praying for you, your Mom and sisters.
Awww, Andrew. I’m so sorry. Just wanted to let you know that my prayers and with you and your family. GBY. Jonathan
Prayers for you and your family here in Minnesota.
thinking of you at this tough time….
greetings from germany.
may the lord’s comfort rest on you. grieve deeply though – there is time for that too… praying for you in lithuania.
Andrew,
praying for you and your family. May God comfort and protect you in this time.
eddy dueck
germany
with you in thoughts and prayers…
mark
so sorry. what a tough time for you. blessings.
Andrew, Thinking of you and praying for you as you’re there.. we miss you here. Big hugs across many miles but you’re well rooted in our hearts and prayers in Orkney.
i am soooo sorry to hear about your brother and dad, may you grieve in the arms of your loving Father and may He comfort you with all comfort.
oh andrew, i’m so sorry. you’ve been in my prayers for the funeral for your brother, i will add this new sad news also.
From the northwest corner of the US, our prayers are with you and yours, Andrew. Lord, bless and comfort!
Those of us here in Steeltown U.S.A. are praying for your family in this hour.
Peace
andrew, sorry to hear about your loss… may the sweet peace of Jesus envelop you and yours during this time…
Sorry to hear, Andrew. Praying for you.
Our condolences Andrew – thinking of you and your family this week.
so sorry. hope you’ll come across some people who will be a big brother to you.
Much love and prayers from the blogosphere, Andrew.
Shalom.
Andrew,
Love your blog, grieving for your losses. So sorry for your losses. Grieve, but with hope. Prayers for you and your family.
May you and your family find comfort as you mourn.
my condoloences Andrew. Grieve in your own way and time. Grace to you from Long Beach, CA
we are with you andrew and talking to God ab it.
++ Lord, sustain Andrew and his family. ++
Andrew, may you and your family experience the peace the exceeds all of our understanding. Your in our prayers.
My prayers are with you and your family.
My prayers are with you and your family. I pray that you know God as Father in all of this, that He carries your pain, and that He is with you.
When the Lord brought back the captive one of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad.
Restore our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
(psalm 126, nasb)
Hi Andrew,
Don’t know what to say right now…your grieve is mine also, and i’m praying for you and your family. The lord will give what you need to overcome this days.
God’s peace and blessings be with you and your family today and every day.
our hearts are touched by your loss’s
“we weep with those who weep and rejoice with those when they rejoice”
from another friend of the MANY here
I prayed for you tonight… Lord keep Andrew close.
So very sorry for your deep losses, Andrew. More prayers ascending from California. May you and your loved ones experience the Lord’s deep peace.
Dana
Andrew I’m also praying for you and your family.
Another person praying for you and your family. I’m SO very sorry for your double loss.
Thoughts and prayers for Andrew and family.
Seems like Bono & the boys have words of advice for you, my friend:
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own
Sometimes you can’t make it
The best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own
Peace, Bro. That’s all.
a special prayer from Malaysia for you and your loved ones. Take care
only a few times in my life have i truly wept … first time was when linda and i were told that linda had miscarried our soon to be born 7 month term child . . . then when we were told that we could not have children, then when my father died … we were extremely close … please accept my heartfelt condolences … God Blessings be with you …
Another person from Northern California praying for you and your family. I’m so sorry.
Andrew my heart, prayers and thoughts are with you. There is something so special about families, so much of what they are shape us. May the precious memories of your Dad and brother sourround you at this time…and may Jesus presence just surround you and provide your every need.
The Samsons are praying for you, Andrew. So sorry to hear of this terrible loss.
Andrew,
I’m so so sorry about the loss of your brother and father. Prayers from me, too, for you and your family.
Andrew,
My wife and I are also praying for you and your family in your time of loss.
total bummer for you, big guy. we will say some prayers for you down here in melbourne.
God said it to Josh a few times..i’ll just say it once: “be courageous, be strong”…
I am so sorry to hear about these recent deaths in your family. I will pray for God to strengthen you in this time. God bless you.
may all these prayers sustain you Andrew, and ours too.
The sheer length of this page in one day is a moving testimony to a wave of love coming to you from around the world, Andrew. I join my prayers with those who really know you -Lord put your arms around him, and let his weakness nestle in your strength -peace in the midst of the storm be his, in Jesus’ name.
may God grant you a special peace and mercy to see you through this tough time and meet all your needs according to his glorious riches
am sorry for your losses. you are in my prayers as well
oh andrew! i am praying. i am so sorry, and pray his tears will mix with your tears to make the elixir of healing and gladness. his cleft does go deep. may you be comforted by his deep.
i’m so sorry to hear this, andrew.
i hope god sends the right people to you to comfort *you* even as you try to be there for your mother and sisters. so, so sorry to hear this news.
peace to you.
praying for you and your family brother!
hey – thanks everyone. the funeral is later today and i will be mentioning you in the eulogy.
I will give details soon.
Thanks sooooo much for your prayers and thoughts – i feel strong inside and feel the joy.
I know you don’t know me and to be honest, I don’t know you either, but my Uncle Will metioned you in his blog and I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your family.
more prayers from arizona andrew. i’m so sorry for your losses.
hey andrew. so sorry to hear about your dad. our love goes out to you with butterfly blessings and prayer for hope, peace and joy. praying for debbie and the kids too.
love bea
May God wrap His arms around you dear Andrew and your family. May you feel His presence and His comfort. May He fill your love tank as never before. I’m lifting you and your family up. Love Susan & Jan
Andrew, I also join all the prayers of these brothers and sisters in Christ from Tokyo. My father also returned to the Lord six months ago. May the peace of our Lord Jesus continue to fill you and your family.
Love and prayers from me too.