Rev. Ted Kelley
I've been reminded the Ted Kelley is one of the most saintly people i've ever known. If funerals can be incredible, his definitely was yesterday. It lasted about an hour and a half, but it didn't seem long at all to me. Nothing needed to be removed. It was a service of tears, smiles, memories, laughter, hope, joy, love, and thanksgiving. One of the strangest things was seeing uncle ted laid in the casket, eyes closed, mouth closed, not moving. He was always loud, excited, and on the go. He believed in people and loved people more than anyone ive known. Countless people have said the Uncle Ted lived in a world without strangers. He would talk with anyone, comfort anyone, love anyone, pray with anyone, and hug anyone. Nearly everyone that's lived in this area for any amount of time at least knows him, and many have fond stories of him. His favorite holiday is Christmas, and he got to celebrate Christ's birthday with him in heaven. I guess He liked it that way. Every time we'd see him, he'd ask us about basketball and when we could sing at his church. He encouraged us and believed in us as if he thought we could conquer the world. He didn't have his own home and he worked hard and loved hard. He was a man of faith and loved his family and community. Somehow, he got me to sing the national anthem at a basketball Christmas tournament my ninth grade year. He wasn't easy to say no too. He made you feel adequate for whatever he asked of you. One of the pastors at his funeral said once God made Ted, they threw away the mold. There isn't a person like him. God blessed many through him and didn't waste his 61 years of life.
It's interesting to me how different people react to the "He's dead" news. Some cry until they have no more tears. Some talk about all their memories. Others can't wrap their heads around it. I've been the cry baby of my family when it comes to stupid things, but when the big things come that knock the wind out of your lungs, my family seems to look to me to keep my head and be the strong one. I used to be really good at quickly putting up emotional walls. I dont think that is something to be at all proud of, but that was me. My mama talked to me after Ted died. She believed i could hold back the tears and keep my head. She needed me to make sure my siblings were prepared to sing the two songs we were asked to sing at the funeral. she needed me to do some communicating with family members and think of things she was incapable to think of. I knew she needed me. I didn't tell her that this past year, my ability to enclose myself in secluded barriers has weekened. I really wasn't sure myself how i'd hold up. I prayed, God is good, He helped me. He let me be able to go to bed at 7:30 and stay in bed for 12 hours without having to be anywhere. Even though i haven't been able to eat much or really sleep much, he's given me strength i know he could only give. My mama didn't need me, she needed God, but she needed me to be a walking talking vessel for that stability.
My mama and daddy are at the lake right now. I can just be for a while. I don't really understand it all. I still haven't really cried. Maybe i won't. Sometimes i want to just curl up and cry while someone else sits by me to scratch my back and pray aloud the prayers on my heart. I dont know if this is normal, selfish, or what, but it is just true. How unbelievers get through these times, i can't comprehend. Uncle Ted was always reaching out and helping people he knew couldn't get through without the grace of God. Ted was special, i doubt i could ever have the heart he has, but I wanna hope and pray that God will make me more willing to be more like the selfless, faithful, loving servant that my mama's uncle ted was. I know Ted would believe in me to be so much more than i'd ever believe I could be. He didn't exactly believe in people though, he believed in a powerful and gracious God that could use anyone in a powerful way, no matter what. His faith was made evident in his life. He was always hopeful, pessimistic words weren't apart of his vocabulary. even when he had no home and there was great sickness and discord in his family and church. That's the kind of faith we were created to take hold of. I pray that God will help take steps towards that and not let Ted's spirit of ministry, optimism, encouragement, and faith die with his body.
Some of the funeral songs were Thank You, Let There Be Peace on Earth, I'll Fly Away and Joy To The World. I think Uncle Ted would have liked that. Please keep his family and church in your prayers.
And may God bless you this holiday season to be a blessing to others
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It's interesting to me how different people react to the "He's dead" news. Some cry until they have no more tears. Some talk about all their memories. Others can't wrap their heads around it. I've been the cry baby of my family when it comes to stupid things, but when the big things come that knock the wind out of your lungs, my family seems to look to me to keep my head and be the strong one. I used to be really good at quickly putting up emotional walls. I dont think that is something to be at all proud of, but that was me. My mama talked to me after Ted died. She believed i could hold back the tears and keep my head. She needed me to make sure my siblings were prepared to sing the two songs we were asked to sing at the funeral. she needed me to do some communicating with family members and think of things she was incapable to think of. I knew she needed me. I didn't tell her that this past year, my ability to enclose myself in secluded barriers has weekened. I really wasn't sure myself how i'd hold up. I prayed, God is good, He helped me. He let me be able to go to bed at 7:30 and stay in bed for 12 hours without having to be anywhere. Even though i haven't been able to eat much or really sleep much, he's given me strength i know he could only give. My mama didn't need me, she needed God, but she needed me to be a walking talking vessel for that stability.
My mama and daddy are at the lake right now. I can just be for a while. I don't really understand it all. I still haven't really cried. Maybe i won't. Sometimes i want to just curl up and cry while someone else sits by me to scratch my back and pray aloud the prayers on my heart. I dont know if this is normal, selfish, or what, but it is just true. How unbelievers get through these times, i can't comprehend. Uncle Ted was always reaching out and helping people he knew couldn't get through without the grace of God. Ted was special, i doubt i could ever have the heart he has, but I wanna hope and pray that God will make me more willing to be more like the selfless, faithful, loving servant that my mama's uncle ted was. I know Ted would believe in me to be so much more than i'd ever believe I could be. He didn't exactly believe in people though, he believed in a powerful and gracious God that could use anyone in a powerful way, no matter what. His faith was made evident in his life. He was always hopeful, pessimistic words weren't apart of his vocabulary. even when he had no home and there was great sickness and discord in his family and church. That's the kind of faith we were created to take hold of. I pray that God will help take steps towards that and not let Ted's spirit of ministry, optimism, encouragement, and faith die with his body.
Some of the funeral songs were Thank You, Let There Be Peace on Earth, I'll Fly Away and Joy To The World. I think Uncle Ted would have liked that. Please keep his family and church in your prayers.
And may God bless you this holiday season to be a blessing to others
<><
posted by lauren @ 10:39 AM
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