On December 26, 2013, I witnessed the later...and I hope I'm never the same. Janet Pate said goodbye to this world and hello to her Savior. I have followed this extraordinary woman through every post on her blog for the past 6-8 months and through the FB posts of her daughter-in-law Jenna Buettemeyer. Although we have hundreds of friends in common, sadly I never had the privilege of meeting her in person.
This past Sunday evening I received a phone call from one of my very best friends, Katy who was asking for prayer as she and her husband Jerad Sears led worship for Janet's Celebration Service on December 30th. As a former Worship Arts Pastor for over a decade, I have led worship for many funerals- some joyous celebrations and others horrible tragedies so I completely understood the honor and weight on their shoulders. I did my best to speak words of encouragement and prayed for both of them and everyone who would be present.
On Monday morning, Jenna posted that FBC Bentonville would be live streaming the celebration service so at 10:30, in the quietness of my office, I turned off my lights and clicked onto the stream feed. As the worship unfolded and the service progressed, I sat there completely mesmerized with hot tears running down my face. Then they played Janet's Video. Whether you know Janet or are just learning of her for the first time, you owe it to yourself to watch. It will change your life.
I sat there frozen watching the most vivacious, fun-loving, enthusiastic, joyful, caring and wise person let me into a snapshot of her life. Frolicking in the snow, skydiving, rallying the youth groups, shaving her head when the chemo took her hair, talking to her oldest grandson about where she was going and then taking time to say goodbye to the people she loved the most. Even in her last days, she was encouraging people to grow in their relationship with Jesus. With the finale of "Peace Out Sucka's" as the video ended.
I just sat there...stunned...challenged...AND burning inside!
A burn I had not felt for a long time.
