Sam North
Star Island is an island of the coast of New Hampshire, near Portsmouth. It is unique because half the island is in Maine and the other half is in New Hampshire. It is a place where New Englanders come to vacation, worship and sit in rockers on the front porch of the old Victorian Hotel. It is a very elegant setting. On the island also are more austere accommodations at the Star Island Camp where kids come to play tennis, swim in the ocean and enjoy fun activities. It is one of the best youth experiences a child can have. There is a story form that camp one day when a counselor was reading the story about the candy cane. She only read the part where the J stands for Jesus and upside down, it stands for the shepherd’s crook. Thinking the children were too young to hear that the stripes of the candy cane which stand for the strips and wounds on Jesus’ back, she skipped the pages. But a child noticed and demanded that she read the pages which were passed over. She read them but left the gory parts out. But the child continued to press her: “So why did they kill Jesus? And plus, who did it?”
Life has stripes and blood and death. Each is a part of life. We know that but sometimes we turn the page too quickly, wanting only to think of the good things of life. In fact life would be so much easier if we could do just that. But it is in times like these that we are confronted with the stripes and the death of life and it is time for us to dwell on this page, this moment of life.
We are here today because of love: our love for Sam and God’s love for him and us. It’s because we love people so deeply that their absence makes us hurt so much. Death is something that separates us. When we are separated from someone we love, we feel as though a part of us has been cut off. While death does separate us, we are told in the Scriptures that there is one thing from which death can never separate us and that is God’s love. Romans 8:38 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What kind of love is the love of God? It is a love that seeks. In the Scriptures, we are compared to sheep and that means we are prone to wander. “All we like sheep have gone astray.” And even faithful disciples and believers like Sam have moments and experiences where they have gone astray from the will and ways of God. But God sought out Sam to bring him home, just like God seeks for you and me when we go astray. That’s why Jesus is called the Good Shepherd, who was sent to seek the lost sheep and bring them safely back into the fold. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I give unto them eternal life. And they shall never perish.”
But God’s love not only is a love that seeks, it’s a love that saves. Jesus said about his ministry, “the Son of Man has come to see and to save that which was lost.” A seeking and saving love reconnects us with the Creator. Sin separates. And the sin in our lives when we have chosen to do our will and pursue our dreams is a step away from God, creating a chasm between God and us. Saving love is a love which cares too much to leave us in that predicament. So Jesus came to save us from ourselves, reminding us that we were created to be in relationship with God, to honor and glorify him with our lives. But that chasm was so wide that only Jesus’ death on the cross could bridge that gap. So Jesus’ death on the cross was to carry the burden of our sins and pay the price for our sins as His punishment. Jesus died for the sins of the world and he died for Sam’s sins so that he might once again know a personal relationship with God. That’s be to God.
What kind of love is the love of God in Jesus Christ? It is a love that seeks, a love that saves and it is a love that stays. No matter how difficult the circumstances may be, God’s love will always be there. Even the very gates of hell are helpless to separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus. Nothing in life and nothing in death can come between us and the love of God. God never turns his back on his children and God never withholds his love because of conduct. His love is an everlasting love that never changes….a love that keeps us secure in His loving arms.
Finally, God’s love is a love that secures, it secures our destiny. While death brings physical separation, when we are in faith, it also secures our future with God. Jesus said, “"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” When Jesus died on the cross, he secured Sam’s destiny after death. That is why in the midst of tears and painful loss and separation, we can celebrate. We know that Sam’s life has not ended at all. In fact, his life has truly just begun. And in that new life, Sam has finally been healed of his Parkinsons.
It’s been said that sorrow looks back, worry looks around and faith looks ahead. It is indeed natural for us too look back today for part of the reason we have gathered is to remember and give thanks. We look back and remember Sam’s love of cooking. I have to say that Sam is the first man I’ve ever known who read cookbooks and read them like a novel. His collection of cookbooks is legendary and seemingly endless. In fact, Mac and he talked about writing a cookbook together. Sam loved to cook and quite frankly we’re in a bind now because we just don’t know who’s going to be making the cheesecakes around here anymore. Others of you are going to miss his “puppy chow” dessert. Other his potato chip cookies. And don’t even think about varying from the recipe, it had to be followed to a T! The fact that we’re going to miss those things and may even be salivating a little bit as you think of his cooking puts a smile on Sam’s face. You see the reason he cooked was serve you and to make you happy. There is no better catalyst form fellowship than food. I think that tells volumes about the type of person he was.
Second, we look back and remember Sam and his commitment to and love for Judy. Sam hired Judy to work from him at the City of New Orleans. Not four months later, they were dating and then eventually married. They were married for more than 45 years and in that time it was a relationship filled with love, laughter, friendship and respect for each other. Sam’s love language was giving. He loved to give cards with sweet romantic things he had written. And you can’t forget all of the little packages found lying around the house for Judy and she would ask, What’s in the box? “I don’t remember, see what’s in there” and inside would be a thoughtful gift showing Sam’s love and appreciation for Judy. It’s an unusual marriage where both spouses can say I don’t remember any bad times. Oh there were the usual fights that occur in every relationship but love, friendship and respect for each other always carried them through. Theirs was a blessed relationship and each was better for it. Sam never ended the day without giving Judy a kiss goodnight and then a second kiss followed by the words, I love you. As one final act of love, Sam began a few weeks ago getting Judy to do some things he had always taken care of like banking and paying the bills, as if to prepare her for the inevitable.
Third, it is because of Sam’s faith that we can look back and marvel at his strength and perseverance in fighting his health issues. No matter what he faced, Sam never gave up hope. The physical therapy and the long trips to Baton Rouge never got him down. In fact, Sam was looking forward to meeting with a new specialist next month for his Parkinsons. I think as Paul said for himself, Sam could say for himself, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Tim Hansel writes, “Pain is inevitable but misery is optional. We cannot avoid pain but we can avoid joy. God has given us such immense freedom that he will allow us to be as miserable as we want. Some people spend their entire lives practicing being unhappy diligently pursuing joylessness. They get more mileage from people feeling sorry for them than from choosing to live out their lives in the context of joy. Joy is simple, not to be confused with easy. At any moment in life, we have at least two options and one of them is to choose an attitude of gratitude a posture of grace, a commitment of joy.”
Lastly, we look back and remember Sam’s commitment to Jesus Christ and his faith. Sam was raised a Catholic and remained a Catholic all his life until his mother died. But after that loss, Sam decided that this church which he had been attending was his home. In fact, Sam was such a regular and committed attender that when he decided to join and Judy told Trey, my predecessor, Trey couldn’t believe it because he thought Sam was already a member. One thing is sure: come rain or shine, come good health day or not so good, Sam was here sitting in the back row worshipping God. And it’s because of his faith and ours that we have gathered here today, that we can celebrate and that we can say he is now enjoying the presence and love of God like never before, where before he was just able to get just a taste of seeing and experiencing God. Paul puts it this way, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
It’s been said that sorry looks back and we remember Sam and the blessings and memories we will carry with us. But we also looks around at those gathered here, seeing that there is one who is not with us because he is now with God. But faith also looks ahead. During this season of Lent we are focused on the cross and what God accomplished through Jesus Christ We are reminded that it was all for a purpose, that it wasn’t just a tragedy. Death has been defeated and today among all days we cling to the hope of the cross and give thanks that Sam is now enjoying life with God.
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There’s one more thing," she said excitedly. "What’s that?" came the pastor’s reply. "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn’t it?" the young woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request," said the pastor. The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement." In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ’Keep your fork! It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!’ So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What’s with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come." At the funeral, over and over, the pastor heard the question; "What’s with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her, that the best is yet to come. I believe Sam arrived in heaven fork and cookbooks in hand because he not only knew the best had yet to come but that best had come. Thanks be to God. Amen.
