Miss Josie
Her Final Wishes.
Reverend Terrence glanced out of one of Tullahoma AME Church’s open windows. “My, my,” he mused to himself. “This is just the kind of day Miss Josie loved.”
Even in her last few weeks on earth, Josie would make her brother Cornell wheel her bed out on to the back porch so she could soak up the warmth of the sun – she always seemed to be cold in her final weeks.
“Y’all remind me of Stockard, Sis.” Cornell’d chuckle and pretend to flinch as Josie would playfully take a weak swipe at her little brother – Stockard was their childhood dog who loved lying in the sunshine.
The thought made Reverend Terrence smile as he waited for the last stragglers to find their places in the church pews.
In the front row, Cornell sat, ramrod straight, tissue in hand. To his left were the pallbearers: Lem, Willie and Reggie from the barber shop, DeShaun (one of Josie’s favorites even though he wasn’t a church member), Leon, and the biggest surprise of all, young Brad, the lone white church member.
Josie made Cornell promise to include Brad, once an ornery redneck caught painting a slur on the church door. With the Reverend’s guidance, Brad had not only turned over a new leaf – he enthusiastically embraced the congregation. Even the most suspicious older church members had to admit the young man had proven redemption was possible.
“Cornell, I am SO proud of that boy. He turn into a respectful young man, and a delight to be around. Reverend’s daughter follows him around like a puppy!”
Her little brother patted her on the shoulder. “Sweet Josie, always think of others.”
Reverend Terrence smiled at the memory, then walked to the pulpit, the assembled growing silent at his appearance.
Terrence reached over and gently touched the simple gray coffin before him. Atop it, facing the congregation, was a picture of Josie, taken several years before, her radiant smile looking into the camera.
The reverend kept one hand on the coffin’s cloth lid, while the other pointed at the portrait of Josie. “Miss Josie always thought of others. Even when it came to planning this gathering.”
He nodded and patted the coffin lid. “Mr. Harmon from Harmon Funeral Home called on Miss Josie at her request. She asked me to sit with Cornell and her so she could make sure Cornell wasn’t burdened with any decisions about today.
“Mr. Harmon shared a brochure of caskets available, and Josie’s little brother immediately pointed to an absolutely luxurious casket. Silk-lined, plush, made of mahogany with shiny brass handles and adornments. ‘This one fit for my big sister,’ Cornell declared.”
“That’s when Miss Josie snatched the brochure, rolled it up, and began swatting Cornell with it!”
The congregation laughed as Cornell, wiping his eyes again, smiled, Reverend Terrence pointing at him. “If that’d been a rolling pin, we’d of had a second casket up here this morning!
“But that was Miss Josie – right Cornell? She didn’t never want to be a bother. And the idea! The idea of such a fancy rig for her to lay in? She rolled her eyes at us, said ‘Y’all gonna see that big wood monstrosity for fifteen minutes, and then into the ground? No!”
Titters. And a few sniffles.
“We miss our sister. We will ALWAYS miss our sister. We’re gonna have some tough times trying to carry on without her. And nobody more than her little brother, Cornell, who fussed over her, loved her, did anything he could for her.”
Terrence walked back to the pulpit and smiled. “Miss Josie even made today easier for ME. Yessir.
“Because she KNEW some of y’all would ask questions like, “Lord, why in the world would You take such a wonderful friend away from us before her time?”
The reverend nodded. “And she was right. I feel as if all I’ve done since our sister’s passing has been to answer questions like that.
“Miss Josie anticipated this, and asked me one thing and one thing only: ‘Reverend, please don’t tell anybody anything like ‘God must have needed an angel.’ Or ‘It’s God’s will.’
“’And please please please don’t sigh and say, ‘It’s a mystery.’”
Terrence held up both hands as if in surrender. “So naturally I had to tear up my eulogy and start over!”
The congregation tittered as the Reverend continued.
“No, I would never ever give trite answers like that, although all too many people hear that from their spiritual leaders.”
Then, as was his habit, Terrence began wandering through the church as he spoke.
“Imagine, blaming the death of a person on GOD?
“Our God is merciful. Our God is loving! Our God abhors suffering! ‘But Terrence, we’re suffering at the loss of our sister right this very minute! He’s allowing it!’
“That’s a fair question to think on. That’s why Josie chose this scripture from Paul to the Corinthians.”
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.
Terrence paused. “God doesn’t PLACE us in harm’s way. God doesn’t CAUSE suffering. He gives us comfort, and spiritual strength to endure.
“Don’t forget God gives us free will. That opens the gates to a richer life full of marvelous choices, doesn’t it? But it also means we are then subject to the dangers of the world, too.”
Terrence was walking up the middle of the aisle by now. “And God offers us that comfort in many many ways.” Holding up his left hand, he began ticking off a list.
“He gives us a loving congregation for strength and companionship. He gives us His word – through the Bible. He says, ‘I am ALWAYS with you.’ He says as much in Isaiah.”
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“And in Matthew.”
And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
“Friends, I tell you Miss Josie found comfort in prayer when Miss Mindy and I would visit. But not ONCE did her prayers include a petition that He remove the cancer from her body.
“No, she was too wise for that. Her prayers were first and foremost, for her friends and loved ones, that He protect them and keep them from despair at her passing. Only THEN did she ask anything for herself.”
By this time Terrence was facing the congregation in front of the church.
“And what did she ask? For strength, for continued faith. Miss Josie understood.”
He nodded. “And THAT was what she asked that I share with you this morning. If you ask, ask for strength. And faith.
“And I say to you,” pointing to the portrait of Miss Josie, “follow the fine example of our departed sister. A wonderful example of strength and faith, understanding what Our Lord asks of us, and how He encourages us to live our lives.”
Terrence glanced at Cornell, who was smiling through tears, and then nodded to the pall bearers.
They stood, solemnly approaching Miss Josie to help guide her to her final resting place.
Hey, don’t forget that, as you see immediately above this, the audio version of this post is now available and will be on all posts in the future.
Editing is going smoothly on the book on Vi’s - When it’s out and available I’ll let you know.
And as ALWAYS, I so appreciate your reading and support.