Remembering Lunch (December 28, 2006)

A year ago today my dear friend June's mother Linda "Lunch" Kern passed away. She suffered for many years and existed on oxygen and meds. Yet, she was hilarious, vivacious, courageous, generous...and opinionated.

I have so many great memories. Like the time I wanted to borrow a movie and she wanted me to fill out a form in triplicate and promise my first born if I did not return it. Or the times I would call and ask for June to come to the phone and she would interrogate me...scare me...and have me in stitches with laughter by the end of the conversation. Or the Birthdays she called and sang "Happy Birthday" to me about 50 times during the course of a day...starting at 5am.

There were also the serious times. She would tell me often that I was worthy of the love of a good man who loved Jesus as much as I did and that I should wait no matter how long it takes. She would remind me often that June and the young women in our lives should never settle for less and that we had the entire world at our feet.

But, the final time I spent with her on December 27, 2005 will forever be etched in my mind. June and I went into her room to say goodnight. I had no idea this would be the last time I would see her alive. I laid my hands on her to pray over her and she gave me a look of recognition and I understood that she was ready. I began to pray and June began to sing...we ended in a duet worshipping God. I got to tell her that I loved her and that I would look after June...and her family would be ok. She passed the next day.

June showed the grace she inherited from her mother all the way through this. There was one time we were in the waiting room and we encountered a little elderly woman who was afraid of an upcoming surgery for her husband. June sprang into action and told the lady we would pray with her. We ended up in the hospital room of strangers praying intently over this man. You could just feel the Holy Spirit in the room. Here her mother was on her way home to be with God and June was with me and our friends praying over and bringing comfort to someone else. (Incidently, the surgery was successful and he was released a few days later). June also led her mother to the Lord before she passed. In those last days she wanted her mother to be sure of her eternity. June also spoke the most beautiful eulogy I have yet to hear...explaining her faith and how she could trust a God who took her mom home, and challenging her family and friends to come to know the Lord that she would lay her life down for...even in that moment of hurt and pain. Her intent was just to show God's glory during this tragic time.

I know what it is like to lose a parent to death and unfortunatly many of you do as well. But. I challenge you. If you still have parents who are living...love them today in memory of Lunch. Hug them. Tell them you love them. Forgive them.

We miss you Lunch...but I am so glad I know where you are.

Romans 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."