This last Saturday we laid to rest Evelyn Tonnessen in Staten Island, NY. For as long as I had known her, a sign hung on her front door: Velkommen.
"Welcome" in Norwegian.
Evelyn often quoted her late husband Walter, “If there’s room in your heart, there’s room in your house.” And she not only welcomed me into her house, she welcomed me into her family.
At the funeral, one family member reported that Evelyn always said, “When my time of service is over, I want to go home.” She served her church, her family, her friends, and her community up until the day she died. Evelyn was a servant among servants.
I can still hear her voice. Still hear her laughter. Still feel her welcoming warmth.
The church (a rather large church) was packed. It felt like a state funeral. But it wasn’t because Evelyn was famous, or powerful. It was because Evelyn loved people, like Jesus loved people. A single life filled with pain and turmoil that was submitted to Christ and transformed the world around her.
Evelyn was preceded by her husband, Walter, who passed away in 2002. He was a builder, and she missed him tremendously.
She spent Valentines days with him.
My wife told our children, “Granny’s husband built houses. He passed away a long time ago, and he spent all this time building a home with Jesus for her.”
As a theologian I can’t verify that statement, but as an artist I know it’s true.
Evelyn’s passing is a huge loss. My grief, and the grief of her family is incredible.
But our grief is not without hope.
She trusted Jesus – the Resurrection and the Life.
Though she is dead, she shall live forevermore.
"Welcome" in Norwegian.
Evelyn often quoted her late husband Walter, “If there’s room in your heart, there’s room in your house.” And she not only welcomed me into her house, she welcomed me into her family.
At the funeral, one family member reported that Evelyn always said, “When my time of service is over, I want to go home.” She served her church, her family, her friends, and her community up until the day she died. Evelyn was a servant among servants.
I can still hear her voice. Still hear her laughter. Still feel her welcoming warmth.
The church (a rather large church) was packed. It felt like a state funeral. But it wasn’t because Evelyn was famous, or powerful. It was because Evelyn loved people, like Jesus loved people. A single life filled with pain and turmoil that was submitted to Christ and transformed the world around her.
Evelyn was preceded by her husband, Walter, who passed away in 2002. He was a builder, and she missed him tremendously.
She spent Valentines days with him.
My wife told our children, “Granny’s husband built houses. He passed away a long time ago, and he spent all this time building a home with Jesus for her.”
As a theologian I can’t verify that statement, but as an artist I know it’s true.
Evelyn’s passing is a huge loss. My grief, and the grief of her family is incredible.
But our grief is not without hope.
She trusted Jesus – the Resurrection and the Life.
Though she is dead, she shall live forevermore.
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