Today I attended the funeral of Eric Paley, a great man of God who had a wicked sense of humour! He leaves behind his wife Vera, 4 sons/daughters and what seems likes hundreds of grandchldren and my prayers are with those family members that knew him and loved him on a deeper level than people like myself could ever possibly do.

 

I will remember 2 things, one about Eric and one about the funeral itself. First, that desppite being in his 70’s Eric had a great passion to see young people become Christians, a passion that is still shared by Vera. Even during his illness this passion did not disappear. Secondly, Vera was dressed in red, rather than black, and Eric had requested ‘You shall go out with joy’ as the closing song:

 

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace,

The mountains  and the hills will break forthbefore  you.

There’ll be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field will clap,

will clap their hands.

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands,

The trees of the field will clap their hands,

The trees of the field will clap their hands,

While you go out with joy.

 

What a powerful admission of faith!