Pat Willet Funeral

Opening Thoughts

I have been privileged to serve in ministry for 30 years this year and I don’t know if I ever met a sweeter couple than Pat and Juanita. I went by to visit with Pat on Monday and Tuesday of last week and had prayer with him.

On Monday he wasn’t very alert and I was concerned that he might pass away that very day. I whispered in his ear to look up my dad, who passed away in July, and tell him hello for me when he got to Heaven. I don’t know if the Lord allows that kind of thing, but I like to think He does, but I got a feeling Bro. Pat would have more important things on his mind upon arriving.

I believe the first One that would welcome him home would be his Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. The songwriter said that the “only scars in heaven would be on the one that’s holding you now.” Can’t you just imagine a perfected Pat Willet bowing in the presence of his Lord, rejoicing and weeping and praising God.

I can only imagine that not far behind was Sister Juanita. We know from Scripture that our relationships in Heaven will be different than on earth, but that doesn’t mean that all of our memories will be erased. I believe there has been a great reunion of this precious couple that all of us loved so much.

Maybe by now he’s met my dad and delivered that message...I don’t know, but one thing I do know is that the Scriptures tell us

1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

I know Bro. Pat’s aged body is asleep, and to be absent from that body means that he is present with the Lord. That verse does not tell us not to sorrow, but it does tell us NOT TO SORROW AS OTHERS WHICH HAVE NO HOPE!

We can have hope today, because Bro. Pat’s hope was built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!

Scriptural Thoughts

While I was visiting with him last week I also took some time to read some Scriptures to him. Scriptures we’ve all heard before, but should never take for granted:

John 14:1–6 KJV

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I believe Bro. Pat is with Jesus today.

But I don’t believe he is with Jesus because:

He was a sweet man (and he was)

He served as a deacon (and he did)

He did justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly

He had a long marriage

He loved his children and grandchildren (and he did)

He was a member of a church (and he was)

Jesus made it clear NO MAN/WOMAN/BOY/GIRL comes to the Father except through Jesus.

There was a time when Bro. Pat understood his need for a Savior and understood that nothing he could say or do could ever take his sin away and he called on the name of Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

That’s why I believe he is enjoying the presence of the Lord today.

Closing Thoughts

Another thing I loved about Pat and Juanita was their smile.

I got to see that smile one last time on Tuesday when his roommate “Jimmy” told me that one of Pat’s family members led him to Jesus and he got saved. Jimmy was smiling, Pat was smiling and I was smiling.

Just hours away from death...just hours away from seeing his Savior...he was rejoicing because someone else had made the decision to trust Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be a great thing if someone here today did the same thing Jimmy did last Monday?

Let’s PRAY!