Seven Days of Silence & My Tribute to Sheryl: Go and Do Likewise
Posted on April 27, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
Sheryl’s memorial service was held last Saturday. I got up that morning and had no desire to blog. I have had no desire for seven days. Maybe it was because it was just appropriate to keep my mouth shut and observe a period of silence.
There were hundreds of people who crowded into Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel. When I walked in and was handed the little program, I was stunned. It hit me like a sledge hammer. Sheryl’s picture was on the front. Could it really be true? Was she really gone? Maybe this was just another one of her jokes and she was going to pop up, with her infectious smile, and yell: “Just kidding!” Oh, please, let that be the case!
But it wasn’t and we held the entire memorial service without Sheryl showing up.
I obviously was not alone in this. One of the speakers commented about how unreal this had been and he supposed that maybe now the grieving process could begin. That turned out to be true for me. It was an hour in which the truth slowly, but surely, began to find a lodging place within my heart and mind.
It didn’t happen without a battle, though. Several times I would glance down at that little program and see her face and think “this can’t be happening.” How could such a joyful, ball of fire get extinguished by something so small as rogue cancer cells?
Sheryl’s father-in-law conducted the service. He did a wonderful job. Sheldon, Sheryl’s husband, did as well, though he had to force his way through the final part where he said his personal good-bye to his precious wife…and the mother of his three children. I can’t imagine doing that.
Well, then it came time for me to walk up front and speak. I prayed that God would keep me from babbling something incoherent. I had thought about preparing my remarks. That is what you normally do in these kinds of things. It helps you get through what you want to say when your emotions are too powerful to think straight.
But I have always been impressed with Sheryl’s spontaneity, and for whatever reason, thought that it would be more fitting to simply speak from the heart. When I got up there, I took a deep breath and, in that moment, regretted my earlier decision.
But, the Lord was gracious, and He allowed me to give a short testimony of how much God had blessed me through her life here on earth. I don’t remember the exact words, but I wanted to give that testimony here as well. I believe it will bring some finality to this for me.
For a long time, I selfishly believed that Sheryl was God’s special angel, sent to me personally, to help me in difficult times. From the very beginning, whenever I was going through something very tough, Sheryl would show up. Somehow she knew…she always did. She would knock on my door or she would catch me in the hallways or somewhere, and grab my hands or my arm and look me straight in the eye and pour forth this ointment of encouragement, delivered with that endearing smile and that deep sincerity of love and affection. It was always a miraculous balm of healing. No matter how tumultuous was my storm, she would calm the wind and the rain and the seas.
I think I now know why Jesus did that in the little boat. Maybe it was for more than just the demonstration of His mighty power and authority over His creation. Maybe it was also an example that we were to go and do likewise. Not that we can still the physical storms, but maybe we are to be the agents of God who come alongside those who are in their own little boats, scared silly because of the roaring of the wind and the ferocity of the waves, tossing them to and fro. Maybe we are the ones who are to encourage them to be faithful.
Sheryl certainly did.
It wasn’t long before I began to realize that she was not my personal angel, but she was an angel of encouragement and comfort to thousands. That is why a mass of her former students made their way from the four corners of the world to pay tribute to her.
I think God often raises up individuals through whom He works in such a mighty way that He uses them as a great example. But, then He takes them away. Why? Maybe because He is now wanting us to go and do likewise. Remember when Jesus said: “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”? And then Jesus went on to say all of the things that the Spirit would do through us? I don’t know that I understand all of why Jesus had to leave this world in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent, but I wonder if, maybe, as long as Jesus were here, we would have all just sat around and said, “Hey, let Jesus do it.” I mean, after all, who could do it better? But now that He is gone, He has sent to us the Spirit of God to do His work through us everywhere.
I often wondered why God took Francis Schaeffer away so soon. Maybe it was because He was showing us a great example, but we were all just sitting around letting Francis do all the work. So, He took him away so that a bunch of others would have to get off of our duffs and go and do likewise.
Anyway, with the Lord’s help, I am going to be more of an encourager and comforter now. Sheryl set a great example. It’s time for us to go and do likewise.
Thank you, Sheryl. See you soon!
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6 Responses to “Seven Days of Silence & My Tribute to Sheryl: Go and Do Likewise”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Thank you for your tender word about such a special Lady. Through you she has encouraged me to “go and do likewise”. May my life be such an example.
thank you for posting this… being unable to be at the service, it is nice to hear snippets of it here and there to help with my personal grieving process. and your words are so true about Sheryl. i think we could all benefit from trying to be a little bit more like her. such an amazing woman.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have felt the same way and not being able to be at the service it was good to read what you said. My heart still hurts that she is gone, but I too have been encouraged to do as she did…to encourage others and help them know they are so special!
Thanks again.
Rebecca Zellmer (Omega-Summer 2004)
Del, you express yourself very well in the panorama of questions and emotions that we all as children of God should have at the “senseless” death of anyone. I did not know Sheryl, but I weep with you. The witness of the Holy Spirit amazes me! Your conclusion, “Go and do Likewise!” is an example I will follow.
My reaction is, “Father, why did you allow that foot soldier of death called, cancer, to take Sheryl’s life?” I remember the anguish and questions of “Why!” at the death of two young people, valiently in the service of the Lord; one by drowning and the other by being run over by a car. Only later in my life, when I experienced two death threatening car accidents, did I begin to learn about the grace of God. I ignored the warnings by the Holy Spirit, in both those accidents. By the grace of God, the faithfulness of God did not allow me to see death. In the second accident, in which I was sent to the hospital, God my merciful Father, finally got my attention.
Where am I going with this? We as his children too often ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as with car accidents (a conclusion in my own life, you may argue).
What about death from sickness, disease, nutritional deficiencies and “old age?” In this case we apparently ignore the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit raised the body of Jesus Messiah from the grave — His body did not see corruption.
Have we asked for the measure of the Holy Spirit that would defeat the corruption of our bodies (Eph 3:14-21)? Yes, many more questions and distorted assumptions we have to lay aside, especially about death.
Thank you, for stirring our thoughts. Let us “Go and do Likewise” knowing that God does far more abundantly that what we ask or imagine.
Don Tirey
Who is Sheryl?
While I did not know Sheryl your words made me feel as if I was able to meet her in passing. Because of your words I look forward to meeting her one day!
I am also reminded how easy it is to let someone else be the “encourager” especially when we’ve been hurt. When we hold back, that becomes the posion, so as I am exhorted by your kind words, I will go and do likewise.
Karen