This battle is not mine, but the battle belongs to the Lord! (A better idea of what has been going on the past month...)

This battle is not mine, but the battle belongs to the Lord!

Gary Richard Timbrell 

January 22, 1957- August 4, 2011

(This is what I wrote and said at/for my Dad's funeral)

Hello everyone, thank you for coming here today. Whether you knew my father or are here to support our family you are a welcomed here today.  It has been an interesting week for me to be sure and definitely not the easiest . I have met various members of my dad’s side of the family as well as getting to see my sisters and mother for the first time in at least a year…

 I have to be honest with you all I never really knew my father. I and my sisters as well were was taken away from my mother and father at a very young age and sent to live in foster care. Throughout my life I tried to come up with a solid picture of who my father was though my various memories I don’t really have many good ones. Perhaps today all of you who knew my father can paint a better picture for me, I know in a way its selfish, but I want to know the Gary Timbrell you all knew, the funny, loving and kind person he was. Thought this week I have already heard so many beautiful memories of who my dad was and It’s really awesome I can see where some of the character traits of who I and who my sisters are 

I unfortunately remembered him for what he did.  I have pushed myself away from my family and I have come to the realization that this needs to change. Until recent times when God came into my life and showed me his forgiveness for the broken kid I used to be. We are all human; I know my dad loved me to the very best of his being.

Something I always wanted to say to my dad but never had the chance to is this “I forgive you”  I forgive you dad for everything that’s happened,  I unfortunately never got the chance to say this to you in person because I scarred. Just like I am with my mother, I was scared of the possibility of a normal relationship with you. Things would change.

 I know you know this now dad as I have told you while in prayer with Jesus. But I need to say it out loud as a public confession. I will say it again to you when we meet in the kingdom.

This week I have been struggling with how I should feel about my dad passing away…  but I  know my dad knew the Lord so  I can say this in the bible it talks about what heaven or the kingdom is like...

'
See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.' 

What a beautiful place to be… and so I am happy to know that My dad is Living with Jesus now. And so I am happy today to know you are in a place of peace…

One last thing I have to say today, The bible talks about a good name being more desired then fine treasure. that’s what I invite all of you to do today…, what kind of person was he to you, what are some of the times he made you laugh, or comforted you… what was my dad’s name to you … again this is what I invite you to do today. Thank you all for coming here today to honor my father I know I means a lot to myself and my family.

Thank you all

.