Karla Grase Funeral - Live for the crown

Romans 14:8 ESV

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Philippians 1:21–23 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Those who knew Karla Grase knew her to be enterprising, hard working, committed, and driven. She was rooted in her faith, always wanting her family connected in worship and service unto the Lord.

Her gifts were many, from leadership to organization. She was an amazing singer and songwriter.

Her awards and certifications were too many to list. Her commitment and passion were unmatched. I recall walking in the offices of Rose and Womble to meet about a few investment properties and all I could see were pictures of Karla Grase. She had much to brag about, yet she remained humble. She could have been a celebrated celebrity, but she was a humble servant. She showcased her gifts but never allowed her gifts to overshadow her character.

In his letter to the Philippian church the apostle Paul tells us that to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

In this life, I have learned that God has funny math and his thoughts are not ours. His ways are above ours. While we mourn today the loss of this mother and wife. This gift to the world, we take comfort and peace in knowing that her death is her gain.

She gained victory over illness. She gained victory over the daily struggles of this world. Paul teaches us a truth that is very difficult to grasp. He says, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul teaches us further in  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

In this life, God has given us three T’s in which to serve. Our time, our talents, and our treasures. With these we can change our cities. With these 3 T’s, we can impact broken families. It is what we do with these 3 Ts that we can truly display the love of Christ. When we take these Ts that God has given us and give them back to Him in service and sacrifice, we can rest assured that there is crown waiting for us.

As her illness grew more intense, our sister yearned to stay here and be with us. While she will not be present for every graduation and recital, she has gained access to the grand prize. She has moved on to receive the crowns that the word of God speaks of.

As her illness grew more intense, our sister yearned to stay here and be with us.

To the family, draw comfort from the memories and the love she showed you. I recall her commitment to her children and how she would look for opportunities for her oldest sons. As a youth leader she made sure that I knew the names Keynon and Kaine and over time I grew close to her older sons. When she began to visit our new church I stood amazed at her youngest son Colin and her baby girl Kadence. I used to chuckle inside at how she would get agitated whenever someone mispronounced her baby girls name. I can still hear he saying , “It’s Kadence, like when you are marching to a beat”. To be honest, it made perfect sense to her but the rest of the world perhaps hadn’t caught up yet to her level yet. And Karla lived this life on another level. Today our sister is on another level. She is moving on to receive the crown. The truth is, our lives are simply an audition for eternity. What we do here, while in this flesh determines our eternal address.

Draw inspiration from the example that your wife and mother set for you. Know that she was driven to do so much because she loved you so much and because she was cut from a different cloth. You are cut from that same cloth. On the tough days, rest in the comfort of Jesus Christ. Know that you have family at Ebenezer Baptist Church and Branches of the Vine Community Church. When you hurt, we hurt. When you cry, we cry. But joy is coming. We stand with you in this difficult time. We have a saying at BVCC - whether we rise or whether we fall, we do it all together.

Her faith in Jesus Christ provided the foundation for her to stand through the difficult circumstances that she was faced with. As we finished her new members orientation she was looking forward to singing on our praise team and having me help out with her non profit organization. Knowning our church’s commitment to community service, I could see the wheels turning in her head.

But now she has gone on to her eternal reward. I believe she is practicing with heaven’s choir and enjoying the reward of a life well lived.

In this life, God has given us three T’s in which to serve. Our time, our talents, and our treasures. With these we can change our cities. With these 3 T’s, we can impact broken families. It is what we do with these 3 Ts that we can truly display the love of Christ. When we take these Ts that God has given us and give them back to Him in service and sacrifice, we can rest assured that there is crown waiting for us.