Judy Heil 11.2.20

Judy Heil Funeral - November 2

We gather this morning to remember and give thanks for the life of Judy Heil. As we do so, we also have come to rejoice in the confident hope of life beyond the grave that we have in Christ.

In the Bible we read,

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 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? 3 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. (John 14)

The Apostle Paul wrote,

this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15)

Let's Pray

Father, we come to You today with strongly mixed emotions. We are sad that we have lost someone who is dear to us. Yet, on the other hand we are grateful Judy can be where she always longed to be - with You. Her struggle has given way to new and abundant life.

Help us to remember her faith and her faithfulness even as we celebrate the unique person she was. Grant us comfort in our time of loss and gratitude as we remember the blessing that was ours through Judy. Amen.

Judy Heil was born July 2, 1941 in Macomb, IL. She had some real trials when she was younger. On January 10, 1964 she married Boyd R. Heil, Sr. In Canton, MO. He preceded her in death on July 14, 2016. Between those dates there was a whole lot of living. Julie is going to come now to share a little about her mom.

JULIE

Judy Heil was an interesting person. She came out of a hard background. She tells some horrible stories about what she went through before she ever met Boyd. She was embarrassed by her past, but did not hide from it. One thing is sure: she was a survivor.

I know she and Boyd had a good relationship even though it may not have been an easy relationship. Judy first went to work for Boyd while he was working in Food Service at the Ordinance plant near Burlington. As Judy tells the story Boyd was the one who hired her and 3 weeks later Judy was his boss.

The two of them worked hard over the years. They struggled at times but there was plenty of laughter around the house. The Heil's used to like to buy old houses and fix them up. Judy dug right in as she did with everything she did. She was one of the hardest working women I've ever met. There were days Boyd would return from work and find a wall torn down or a carpet removed! She was such a good worker for others because she would do what others would not.

Judy gardened and also raised animals. She loved to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables she raised. She loved canning and making bread and butter pickles, and tomato sauces.

Julie remembers the time Judy she made her hold a rabbit while she skinned him. It was traumatizing and she will never forget the smell. She reports however that the rabbit tasted really good. Judy knew how to prepare wild game.

She raised Zeke the Pig once. When Julie was home she took her picture with him, and the next time she came home, they were having breakfast and she asked her where was Zeke? She said, “you’re eating him.”

Judy loved Bear, their last dog. She was an animal person. She enjoyed the cat that came with Christy and family.

It seemed there was some bill Judy was always working to pay off. However, she was determined to pay all her debts. She received help on occasion, but one thing was sure, she was not going to cheat anyone they owed money to. The remarkable thing is that no matter what her financial situation was, she always tithed to the church whatever she received. Even at times when it seemed she needed the money more than the church it was a principle she held to without wavering: pay the Lord FIRST!

She worked for a number of different people. She cleaned, she helped out, she would do just about anything. Whatever she did she did as a representative of the Lord. She was serving Him. If people criticized the way she did her job, it wounded her deeply. She was a woman of integrity.

Judy loved music and liked to sing in churches in her earlier years. She came to Christ as a result of the influence of her grandmother (we think).

Judy had a great laugh and she always brought a smile to my face. Even when I last saw her, she was joking and laughing and having a great time. Her laugh was unmistakable. I was shocked when she died since she was so vibrant just days before.

Judy trusted Christ as her Savior and Lord. She was a student of the Scriptures. She was a big fan of Charles Stanley. She read most of his books and I am pretty sure she read all of mine. Judy was one of the people who most enthusiastically supported my writing ministry. I am sure most of the family received a book of mine at one time or another as a gift. I always appreciated Judy's encouragement and her faithfulness. I knew she didn't have the money to be buying the books, but . . . it was impossible to simply give books to her. She was a proud woman and it was important to her to pay her own way.

Judy and Boyd were faithful in coming to our church services. Boyd liked to share blonde jokes with me and Judy was always horrified. She feared he wasn't going to clean up his language in front of the preacher! After Boyd died, Judy missed him terribly. She was walking to church one day when she met my wife Debbie coming out of the house. She told me they bonded over their mutual affection for me. Judy always appreciated any act of kindness that was directed her way.

She loved the opportunities she had to go down to Texas to see the girls. It was something she looked forward to weeks ahead of time. I don't know if she communicated that to her family, but she made it clear to me. She was just as excited when they came up here. Judy loved to talk about her family. She mentioned so many different people to me that I can't keep everyone straight!

Judy could, at times, be a little blunt . . . maybe even harsh. She was always trying to tell the truth, but that didn't mean she didn't at times offend and perhaps even alienate people. However, if I have learned anything about the gospel it is this: it is not where you are that matters . . . it is how far you have come. Judy came a long way from the pain of her early years. She was a child of God's grace.

When Judy had her stroke, she was pretty discouraged when I saw her in Wesley Village. She was, however, determined she would get better. Of course, that would not be the case. It was a godsend that Christy and her family were able to care for Grandma. It wasn't always easy. Judy was used to doing things her way. She had grown accustomed to the house being pretty empty. And she was suffering the effects of her stroke. All the people in her home and the sense of dependency on others was hard for a woman who was so independent and strong. God bless the family for enduring the hard times. Judy was blessed by you. Thank you for your faithfulness toward her.

Judy was ready to die. She wasn't just ready to die because she was tired of living, she was ready because she had a strong faith in Christ and knew she would live a new life when she died.

This is the confidence we carry with us today: Judy is more alive today than she ever has been before!

At the end of his life the Apostle Paul wrote,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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.

Judy Heil was by no means perfect. She knew that. However, she tried to run the race to the best of her ability. She believed she could do all things because of Christ who strengthened her. She also adopted the attitude of Paul that for her, to live was to honor Christ and to die was gain.

Paul said he knew there was "laid up a crown of righteousness that the Lord would award." This righteousness is not the result of our good deeds; it is the result of God's incredible grace. The right standing is a gift given to us by Christ. He paid for our sin and then applied His righteousness or perfection to our account.

This is something we will not fully comprehend until we stand before the Lord of all Heaven. At that time the scars of the past will be fully healed. The abusive behaviors, the slander and the hurtful words will all be healed. Judy Heil is seen more clearly and loved more fully than she has ever known before.

I believe she would want to say to her family: "Be faithful to the Lord. He will not abandon you or let you down. No matter what your past may hold, the grace of God will cover it by the sacrifice of Christ."

Jesus lived a perfect life so He could trade that life as a payment for our sin. People sometimes wonder, "How is this possible? How can one person pay for millions?" It all hinges on who this one person is. As the Son of God, the life of Jesus is of infinite value. It is because of WHO He is that His life can free millions of others. He trades His perfect life, for our broken life, so we can be made right with God.

But WHY would He do it? Because He loves you just as He loves me and loved Judy. Judy Heil lived her life trying to point people to Jesus. She would want to end her life doing the same thing. So, on her behalf, let me urge you to put aside religious ritual and embrace Christ as the only Savior. Dare to believe that His sacrifice is sufficient for you. For if you do, you can be certain of this: you will see Judy Heil again.

For now, let's draw some lessons from her life

· It is always wise to put the Lord first in your life and your finances

· Working hard leaves you with no room for regret in life

· Tact is just as important as honesty

· Music gives you a means of expression for whatever is happening in your life

· Nature is God's gift to us, and we should enjoy it fully

· Everyone needs a copy of one of my books!

· God sometimes sends us angels . . . sometimes they are even members of our own family.

· Laughter brightens any room

· In God's hands, even the deepest scars can heal and be used for His glory

· Finally, this life is only the title page of true life . . . whether your story is positive or tragic will be determined by how you respond to the love of Christ.

Judy Heil made an impact on our lives. For this, we give thanks to God and look forward to the day when we, by His grace, will see her again.

Let's pray

Father, thank you for Judy's life. She wasn't perfect, but she was yours. Thank you for her testimony both in what she shared and in how she lived. Grant her the joy of your presence.

We ask now that you give us a measure of her spirit. Help us to honor You in the way we live our lives.

Help this family to draw together. Provide for their needs. Bring them all to You in the simple faith that changes lives. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.