Lynn Simerly

Dayton Lynn Simerly, a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a friend, and coworker. In 2 Corinthians Paul compared our bodies to tents. They are frail and temporary. They aren’t meant to last forever.

As I think back on Lynn’s life I don’t really think of frailty, though these last couple of years have shown us how frail a body – even a strong and healthy body – can get. As Paul wrote:

1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (1 Corinthians 5:1-4)

So, this morning we say goodbye to Lynn’s temporary earthly body knowing that he has already taken up a more permanent eternal one.

Yesterday I was able to visit with Lynn’s family and hear some stories. I got to hear about his silver dollar pancakes. I heard stories about how he always followed the directions that came with items he bought. And I heard some stories about his driving. If you were sitting shotgun with him it was your responsibility to check for traffic coming from the right. If he pulled out in front on someone and you didn’t warn him it was your fault.

Some things I already knew.

I knew Lynn had four brothers – because I’d met them over the years – but I didn’t know how well they got along. My brother and I fought like cats and dogs growing up. I’m sure my mother thought we were going to kill each other. I think that’s how many brothers are. But not the Simerlys. I was told they’ve never gotten into a real argument. They may disagree at times, but they’ve never fought. That’s something to be proud of. And the brothers said it was due in part to Lynn who was able to bring them all together.

The only thing that we can take out of this world is what we have given away. That’s why Jesus said that we are to lay up treasures in heaven. If we have not loved and have not given, then our living has been in vain.

That’s what Lynn did. I know that he had a desire to help others and would do whatever he could. Actually, I think it’s a family trait.

I knew Lynn enjoyed working in the yard. I think most of the times I visited their home he was outside working. He enjoyed showing me that fish pond. It didn’t take long looking at the yard to know someone enjoyed working it, but good looking yards don’t just happen. What I didn’t know is he so loved mowing that he’d mow his neighbor’s yards if they didn’t get them mowed.

I knew, but hadn’t thought about, how Lynn planted all the nandinas along G Street beside the church. Lynn was a hard worker.

And I knew that Lynn was a man of faith.

Jesus tells us that there are but two roads in this life. One way is a broad road, has a wide gate, and there are many people travel upon it. However, that road leads to death and destruction. The other road is very narrow, has a narrow gate, and there are few people travel upon it, but that is the road that leads to life. Jesus himself is that narrow gate, for he issued the call,

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Have you ever wondered how good do you have to be good enough to go to heaven and meet God? The answer is, none of us could ever be good enough to go to heaven. It’s worthless to even try it. But going to heaven isn’t about how good or how bad we have been. It’s a matter of do we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Jesus told us that has gone to prepare a place for each of us. But, we must make a choice. None of us know the day nor the hour when we shall leave this world. Christ has died on our behalf that we might have life. It’s as simple as confessing our sins, our yielding our lives to him. For in the end, the only decision that will matter is what did we do with Christ. For only what’s done for Christ will last is going to matter a thousand years from today.

For those who die in the Lord goodbye is never forever. For the word of God clearly states,

13Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)