|
A Prayer
♦◊♦ Offered at Willemina's funeral by her long-time friend Jennifer Heavenly Father, our loving God, we are here today to honour the memory of Willemina, known to us variously as Will, Willy, Mum and Nana. We ask your blessing, Almighty God, on all who are here today and ask that you will bring comfort, peace and love to Will’s grieving family and friends, in particular her devoted husband, John, her beloved children Rodney and Jessica, her much loved brother, Jitze, and her grandchildren, who she loved dearly - Jody, Ceres, Drew, Nell and Ben and not forgetting her adoring dogs, Bella and Sweet Pea (now being re-homed), Lucky, now with Jess and the cats. We thank you, Lord, for the life of dear Will and for all that she meant to her family, friends and acquaintances and for all that we saw of your goodness and love in her life as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, nurse, and as a carer for so many animals, large and small, through the years (not forgetting the chickens and the parrots!), all of whom owed so much to her diligent and tender care for them. Lord, we particularly thank you for the long and enduring relationship Will had with John and all that they were to each other. We ask you to uphold John, giving him strength and health and the ability to carry on, in his important supporting role to his family. We praise you that you made people to share their lives together, in families and amongst friends - to reflect your glory in this world. Almighty God, you love everything and everybody you have made. Lift us all now from any anxiety and guilt we may have to the light and peace of your presence among us here today, setting before us the glory of your love for humanity and all living things. Judge us now with infinite mercy and justice. We rejoice in your promises of pardon and peace. In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven. Gracious Lord, we know that Will is no longer suffering, that she is free from all difficulties and discomforts and that she is now in a wonderful place of light and peace. And we should know that she will always be there for us, in spirit, so that we can still talk to her. We ask you to bless her soul and to give her everlasting peace. We commend her to your loving mercy, in the name of Jesus Christ the great Healer, who died to save us all. AMEN
Jennifer Radford
|