The first time I met Rollie and Sheila they were playing worship on the back of a trailer stage called the “Holy Roller.” They looked like a couple from a movie with their good looks, eyes of love and cowboy hats; Rollie playing the guitar and Sheila playing the tambourine.  Their music was contagious and their hearts were always full of contagious love.  They would go anywhere to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They eventually led worship at Skyway in our first sanctuary and brought the “Holy Roller” to many outreaches over the years.  Last week Rollie’s greatest love on earth went home to be with Jesus, his greatest love of all.  It was a tough funeral for me. Rollie and Sheila played a major role in our history. They were my friends in ministry and life. Sheila was “too young” to pass away, she was only fifty three. I choked back tears as I shared the story of two young people meeting, falling in love and sharing a lifetime of memories too fast.  If I had to describe Sheila in one sentence I would say she had a big heart with lots of love for everyone she met.  The seeds of her love were reaped as the funeral closed.  Every person waited patiently to walk past the casket one last time and then each would hug Rollie and share his tears.  I marveled at how many people patiently waited in line to hug their friend.  I asked the Lord if it were possible to “store up hugs?” I felt He told me, “No, these are the one’s Rollie needed today.”  Take time to appreciate the people who have touched your life while they are still with you.  Take some time to encourage those who have lost loved ones.  We can’t store up hugs but they encourage someone each time we give them out.

Pastor Greg