final words today as I lay my father to rest....

final words today as I lay my father to rest....

by Dev-Sheila Sookram on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 5:45am

Family, Friends, Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Thank you all for for your support and condolences.

Before we go our separate ways and get busy with the business of life and where to go from here, I would like to say a few words…. I regret that I was unable to share my gift of vocal music today for many reasons, but being my father’s daughter, I still felt the urge to speak and share with you what is on my heart. To bring to you a message, and as Don shared with me recently, when the Holy Spirit is speaking, we have no other choice but to yield and listen with an open heart and soul.

Over the last few days I have found great comfort in all of the shared stories and memories. My earthly father had so many talents and gifts and I am so thankful for all of the lives he touched as he pursued with great vigor his God given passions and strengths. He was also very passionate about encouraging others to discover and develop their individual talents and gifts as well. I am also very grateful to him for that. And like any tragedy, I believe God uses it for the good to teach, strengthen and continues to mold us even in times of great sorrow.

Some of the greatest lessons I can learn from my father’s life now is that everyone has strengths but they also have weaknesses. And that is ok, it makes us human… it forces us to look up to the heavens for guidance. Showing each other our authentic selves, our emotions and vulnerability does not make us weak but instead strengthens our relationships drawing us closer to each other and to God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us… " For my grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness.".

I also learned (and am still learning) that you cannot be all things to all people. It is important to serve but also to allow others to serve and help you in times of great need as well. To forgive, but to also accept forgiveness from others as well. Life is a journey and our core human needs for fulfillment in life can be sent and received very differently from person to person based on our own unique personalities. I am very proud of the level of respect and admiration that my father was able to receive through his interactions with others and through his continued service to the Lord.

Because music is one of my gifts and also a great way to share a message… I have some lyrics from a compilation of songs to share that I pray will bring comfort and wisdom at a time like this. There is a very universal message of love, service to one another, and peace in these various songs that transcends any one theology or religion. I believe this is what unites us all, lutheran, catholic or otherwise .... from bible verses to ballads sharing our raw authentic lives in both strong and weak moments tells a powerful story… I hope you enjoy.

His Eye is on the sparrow ..

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.



Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.



How You live- Turn up the Music

Wake up to the sunlight With your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress Use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

Have what you want But want what you have

And don't spend your life lookin' back



So go to the ballgames And go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children Dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth 'Cause you can't get away

Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music Turn it up loud

Take a few chances Let it all out

You won't regret it Lookin' back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew And it's not what you did

It's how you live

wherever you are and wherever you've been

Now is the time to begin



So give to the needy And pray for the grieving

Even when you don't think that you can

'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So think of your fellow man

Make peace with God and make peace with yourself

'Cause in the end there's nobody else

it's not who you knew And it's not what you did

It's how you live



Do It Anyway-

You can spend your whole life buildin' Something from nothin

One storm can come and blow it all away

Build it anyway

You can chase a dream That seems so out of reach

And you know it might not ever come your way

Dream it anyway

Sometimes the world seem crazy And it's hard to believe

That tomorrow will be better than today

Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all YOUR heart For all the right reasons

And in a moment they can choose to walk away

love em anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good

And when I pray It doesn't always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singin' A song that you believe in

That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang

Sing it anyway

I sing I dream I love and I do it anyway



This next exerpt is from a song called "Nature Boy"

And then one day one magic day he passed my way

And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings

This he said to me

"The greatest thing

You'll ever learn

Is just to love

And be loved

In return"

With any good message, there is always a moral or lesson to be learned. Wiether it is through a song or the scriptures…

For those of you who have seen the Movie Grace Card, you know the simple message of extending Grace can heal all wounds. The promise to pray for each other everyday and ask each others forgivenenss, grant the same to each other in return and hold relationships with each other in the highest regard… always. " For my grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness.".

I know my father knows there is still work to be done, we must stand united for there is also a real battle ever at hand, there is always forgiveness, grace covers all and we must guard our hearts and minds so that our greatest strengths do not become areas of great weakness. So go out and love like you’ve never loved before, don’t be disappointed if others do not love you back the way to expect to be loved, pursue your passions and talents, and just do it anyway.