Good morning…
Stuck in the really long line of cars trailing into the parking garage at Buckhead Church, I sensed how sobering it was for so many in our community to be attending the funeral of Dobbs Davie, a well loved twenty year old. I slipped into a chair in the back section of the large church so that I could take it all in, taking in all of the bittersweet.
A pastor spoke. The chief way God will comfort this grieving family in the weeks and months ahead will be through each of you. The resurrection is the only event big enough to give us hope. We need God every day, in times like this we become acutely aware of this fact. May we rely on you, Lord, when everything else falls apart.
Three inner circle friends spoke. We called Dobbs the “Caring Crocodile.” He had a passion for what he loved. It was special to be in his circle. He always had our back. Best friends for life. Rest in peace until we see each other again.
My husband Steve spoke as Dobb’s high school chaplain and wrestling coach. Steve learned two things listening around a campfire with Dobb’s best friends this week. 1) Dobbs had a protective nature. With him friends and family felt safe and cared for. You could count on him to always come to your defense or aid. Mirroring the love of God described in Psalm 91, Dobbs was a protector, a shelter, a shield. 2) “I never told anyone I loved them more often than Dobbs,” said one friend. Dobbs felt love, expressed love, exchanged love freely. Dobbs loved well and was deeply loved.
A close longtime family friend spoke. He recounted fun memories from over the years. Pick up basketball. Easter eggs shared. Family getaways. Hikes, hang out time, playing cool games together. This week a group of inner circle friends gathered outside the hospital to pray. “Dobbs is passing,” the text came from Dobb’s dad on Mother’s Day morning. Are there any more difficult words for a father to text? Dobbs will be remembered for his smile, his kindness and the heart he has for others.
Another pastor and family friend spoke. The loss of a child produces grief with the volume turned up. We wanted to keep Dobbs in this world with our great love, the best medicine, and our deepest prayers, but to no avail. He left this country we know as life in small letters for a country that is LIFE in large letters. If Dobbs could speak to us, he would say, “I love you more now than ever. Easter is real. Grieve my loss and cherish our best memories. Keep and improve relationship. ‘Sorrow shared is sorrow halved. Joy shared is joy doubled.’ There is more to this huge universe.”
The 23rd Psalm was shared and the songs sewing the messages together were seamless and comforting. I now share music videos of these songs with you, hoping to spark continued healing in our hurting hearts.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3a-4, NLT).
…Sue…
