Heavenly Reminders

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
My uncle Laurel was a man of perfection. He was a man of integrity. He was, most of all, a beautiful man inside and out. Yesterday was a hard day for my family, as we said farewell to a person who took a hand in shaping many of us. As I have spent the past 2 days surrounded by loved ones I have been reminded of just how blessed I truly am. I was raised on the principal, from the time I was born, that family comes first. And that is exactly what was proved to me this week. We sat along side one another as we told and listened to stories of how special Laurel was to each and every one of us. Stories proving that each of us, in our own unique way, now carries a piece of Laurel in our heart. We meditated on the lessons he taught us. Yes, we shed tears of sorrow, but we did what our family does best: we lifted each other up in a time of need and promised each other that together we would move forward - not forgetting Laurel but holding him close in our hearts and leading by his example.
Today I'd like for you to take a moment to meditate on the importance of your family. What part do they play in your life? All to many times I think we forget that we are who we are because of our family. It is with a joyful heart that I can proudly admit that I would not be the person I am today without my family supporting me every step of the way. There isn't a day goes by that I don't go on bended knee before my God and praise him for giving me these people to share my life with. These past few days have been a reminder of that.
My uncle Laurel was a gardener. He put his time, sweat, blood, and dedication into making this earth a beautiful place for all to enjoy. I take hope and comport in the words of Ecclesiastes 3 when it says that there will come a season to plant and uproot. This was the season for my uncle Laurel to be uprooted from this earth and taken home to rest in the arms of his savior. I take comport in the thought that my God rejoiced when Laurel entered the gates of heaven, like he will for each and every one of us. This was also, my dear friends, the season for reminding. A heavenly reminder about the strength of a family. A heavenly reminder to help us all meet the days ahead.