Losing It...

Tonight I am sleepless due to mourning the loss of an incredible man of God, Bro. Richard Burgett. He was the Sr. Pastor at Grace Apostolic Church and a dear family friend.

As my family spoke of him today and told the stories of first meeting him, I realized I do not have a clear memory of first meeting him. He is a figure that just appears in my life somewhere along the way.

My sisters and I esteemed Bro. Burgett as a man so close to God that his very presence, even the mention of his name, could cause you to be slain in the spirit. Thus began our silliness. Everytime someone mentioned his name, we would throw ourselves on the floor. This was not in any way to make fun of or even imitate the true spirit of God, but to show how much we truly loved this man and his closeness to God and in that, his humor (I think he found us to be quite funny)

This summer I was priviledged to work in youth ministry at Grace Apostolic Church. They asked me to play for the alter call one night, and as a played piano and sang, I heard another voice join me in the chorus "Breathe on Me" it was the anointed voice of Bro. Burgett. I couldn't stop smiling. Later that night I called my sister and told her of the wonderful experience I had just had, to which she replied, "did you get sain in the spirit???" HAHAHAHAHA.....

Not only that, but it was at Grace Apostolic that my ministry began to really take flight. Pastor Harold Mauldin asked me to speak a word one Sunday night, so I did. I felt like God had given my a word for their church, yet I was still very nervous! To have to speak in front of not only the whole congregation, but Bro. Burgett himself was sitting on the very front pew! The man from whom I have heard many many great sermons. The man who lead the way for me to even stand up there. But as I spoke, I looked out at him and he was smiling and nodding his head. He was supporting me. And that moment made a huge impact on me and the ministry I wish to have.

When I received the news of his death, my first reaction of course was to be sad. I cried. But then I had a great revelation, this man, who I felt was a best friend to God. This man who had spoken prophetic words over my life and the lives of many others, this man, who lead so many people to Christ, was now finally standing face to face with his creator, the God for whom he lived. His whole life was for this very moment, when he would stand before Jesus Christ.

And that made me smile. I will rejoice.
Psalm 116