Stanley Armstrong

One life to live

Each one of us is born and each one of us will die but those dates are not what matters what matters is what we do in the interim the dash on the tombstone Id like to share a poem by Linda Ellis.

You have all heard story after story today of how Stan affected the lives of those around him, from taking friends and family hunting and fishing, to fixing anything that was broken, He loved his kids and grandkids though some might say he loved Ol Duke more. He was known for his quick wit and people found it hard to get one past him. He prefered to teach people how to do something rather than do it for them. As the old saying goes give a man a fish feed him for a day teach a man to fish and feed him for life. Yet the thing that I have heard the most was you didn’t ever tell him he couldn’t do something or he’d do it just to prove he could.

A time to mourn

I want to speak for just a moment to the family. Notice the passage says there is a time to weep and mourn. It is okay to cry yes guys even you, don’t hold them in but allow yourself to experience the grief and the loss of Stan. Everyone will experience their grief a little differently but the important thing is to grieve. To not grieve is really to deny the love that you have for Stan. Yet neither should one grieve forever.

Notice it also says there is a time to laugh and a time to dance. There will be moments of joy again. As I look out at the family I see lots of children who will have birthdays graduations weddings and successes, celebrate and be joyful with them. Do not allow the loss of Stan to overshadow the lives the dashes of these precious children. Indeed you yourselves will have things to celebrate in your own lives. If Stan were here today I am confident he would say to you don’t cry over me look around you and find the joy find those moments to make new memories be the Stan to the next generation.

The next meeting

Finally I want to remind you of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The bible says that all who place their trust in Jesus Christ are given the privelege of living forever with God in heaven. I have been told that Stan placed his faith in Jesus years ago. If so then he is walking with his Lord Jesus Christ right now in heaven. I have two simple questions. When your time has come do you have that same assurance, have you accepted Christ as your lord and Savior? How have you spent your dash?