Sun shines despite grief

The sky was gray. Raindrops stained the windows.
Elbow to elbow in crowded pews, family and friends gathered together in grief and joy, with tears and with laughter.
Many wore purple — David Brent Miller’s favorite color.
Snatched from our midst by a plane crash last week, Miller’s presence could still be felt at Monday’s celebration of his life.
He’d been a Sunday school teacher for some of those on hand, an employer to others, a prayer partner to still others.
“He was such a good guy,” said one, recalling “that big Dave Miller smile.”
“He loved to fly,” said another, “and he sure loved to farm.”
Those twin passions, along with his family and his faith, defined the man remembered this week.
“He was the very best civilian pilot I ever flew with,” said his pastor, Darrell Borders of Westchester United Methodist Church. “We grieve, but we do not grieve without hope.”
One dear friend read a note Dave had sent him recently.
“Life is sometimes hard to understand,” Miller had written. “When we get to Heaven, we’ll have plenty of time to ask God some questions.”
The sky was gray. Raindrops stained the windows.
But inside, the sun was shining. The horizon was bright. And the sky was blue as far as the eye could see. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]