Poppy

Family and friends, we are here to celebrate and commemorate the life of Jack Freeze, or Poppy as I only knew him marrying into this family.

I met Poppy when I had just begun dating Meggan. We were all in town in Collegedale, Tennessee for Meggan’s graduation from college. I had driven from Berrien Springs, Michigan my old used vehicle. Poppy walked out of Dolly and Greg’s house in his pajama bottoms, t-shirt, and Philadelphia Eagles socks. He looked at me, eyed me up and down, and then my vehicle. His first words to me were, “Young Man! you’ve got an oil leak.” He was right my car was dripping oil onto the road where I was parked.

I learned very quickly Poppy was interested and skilled in all things mechanical. While he certainly knew his way around a vehicle, he also loved his wood working. He was craftsman if there ever was one. Since being married, my wife and I have moved a few times already and something Meggan is always mindful and protective of is her hope chest which had been beautifully restored by Poppy. Restored. That is something I want everyone here today, to be able to find joy in. One day we will get to see Poppy again in a restored way. Peak Jack, we will see. Today is rightfully so a day where we all experience grief. But family and friends, don’t let your grief turn to anger. Grief can make us say and do things we wish we could take back. That is why we cling to the hope and peace found only in Jesus.

Remember Jesus’ own words in John 14, speaking to his disciples:

John 14:1–3 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

When Jesus receives us, we will all be at our peak. Restoration project at its finest.

Because Poppy was a craftsman and restorer. His fingerprints are all over for us to enjoy. From the decades spent in this church. It’s my understanding Poppy and Grammy had a pew that rarely was not their spot to sit at church. Poppy made his mark as a deacon. I know this because soon after he had lectured me about driving a vehicle that was leaking, when he found out I was soon to be a pastor, he proceeded to tell me how I ought to train and treat the deacons. “Don’t make an enemy out of your deacons!” he told me. Craig had similar advice about how we treat our veterans.

This has served as great advice for me as a pastor. Treat your all of your volunteers well. So in many respects Poppy had his fingerprints on me! Poppy was a pathfinder and helped with Pathfinders for many years. As he crafted wood, and spent time to get things just right. He took time help craft the generations to follow by offering his time in this youth ministry.

When I had my first visit to his home, he took me into the basement. He brought me down there and showed me his collections, wood working, his model hess truck collections, his various tools. He told me, “if you can’t find an item in his basement, it doesn’t exist.”

This same basement flooded recently. It flooded so deep Bruce was able to go for swim down there. So much was destroyed from the water down there. I entered the basement yesterday. So many tools water damaged. I imagine, if Poppy was still capable, I don’t think he’d look at the rust or mold and think to toss any of it out. I think he’d see a bunch of projects to restore, and get started as quickly as possible.

You know the personal treasures being ruined is a real tragedy. But I would like to remind the family this morning, it wasn’t his stuff that was the legacy he left behind. It was you! It was you Paul, Linda, David, and Lisa! It was all of you, and his grandkids and now great grandkids. Nothing was he more proud of. This Eagle loving family may bicker from time to time. They have their ups and downs, but a legacy that Jack and Christina, Poppy and Grammy left behind was a family that has a tighter bond than most.

In our journey towards Heaven, we’re not taking the money in our banks, our prized possessions, the homes we’ve built, the trinkets we’ve collected, not even the things we’ve built with our own two hands or the many things Poppy built himself. All we’re taking with us is each other if we’re willing to accept Jesus and go.

We’ve all felt since Grammy passed away, a piece of Poppy has been missing. The good news is when Jesus comes again, not only will Poppy and Grammy be restored and reunited but each of us will be able to enjoy that reunion as well.

People wonder how we can celebrate while grieving. How can we have seemingly opposing feelings such as joy and sadness at the same time? Its because we grieve the loss we experience now, but we celebrate because we know it is not truly and end, but merely a see you later.

Celebration may sound strange considering the circumstances, aren’t we here to grieve? Yes I believe grieving plays a central role in celebration. Let me be clear, we grieve the loss of Jack from the lives in which he was a blessing to. We grieve for those who experience great pain of continuing in this sinful world without our loved ones. We cry and shed tears when we reflect. Those sad tears are often accompanied with tears of remembering wonderful moments which are shared. To celebrate is not to ignore the pain of loss but to acknowledge the victory for which we find in Christ Jesus. Those who are faithful usually have a journey filled with ups and downs. You don’t live a long life like him without experiencing ups levels of hardship. He has left behind a testimony of service and faithfulness, especially to hIS family. The world has changed a lot in his lifetime, but Jack was resilient and steadfast. Jack loved people, and loved his family especially. He will be greatly missed.

Although friends, and our family are grieved by this loss. We recognize the hope in which Jack’s life was a testament to. There is hope in Jesus. Even in this wicked world, we have faith that there is a day coming, where celebration will no longer have any ties to grief, because the world will be rid once and for all of sin. I am, of course referring to our faith in the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. Make no mistake loved ones. The grief is cemented in our personal loss, but we celebrate because Poppy’s fight is over, and whatever time passes between now and Christ’s soon coming will be only as an instant for Marie who died in Christ. There is HOPE and Comfort in the 2nd coming of Christ Jesus.

I refer you all now to the comforting words found in 1 Thessalonians 4 , starting in verse 13.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Those of you who are here today remember Poppy for all the wonderful things about him. It’s not that he simply lived so long or the great testimony of his family. It is that in spite of living in a world which has become increasingly wicked and sinful. His life was one in which was a faithful witness to our Lord Jesus Christ. I know someone here is battling with sin. Well Poppy battled sin in his life, as we all do, and by God’s grace we can have assurance of his salvation. I know someone here is being overcome with addiction. Someone here may have been unfaithful in their marriage. I am certain there is someone here who desires to be rescued from their life which has been marked by sin. I have good news. The same God who Poppy lived for and died in, loves you, desires you, and has a unique plan for you. He is calling you. Don’t you know He is coming again. Don’t you know there is a rescue mission to save God’s people. Don’t you want to meet a loving savior. The savior in which Poppy has found rest in. If you are the person I am describing. Pray and ask God to lead you. Find someone in this church or another to help you. You are not alone. Your life can be that of a faithful and overcoming witness, just like our precious Poppy and daddy. Don’t wait another day or moment to begin living your life for Jesus.