In Loving Memory
of
William (Bill) Goundie
February 9, 1926 - May 9, 1997
Asleep In Jesus
The following was read at his memorial service, held on, November 21, 1998
I’ve tried very hard to come up with words to paint a pretty picture of my
father’s life. But his life was anything but pretty. So I thought that maybe if I
attempted to retrace his last moments here on earth, I could gain a little insight into
his world. Little did I know that writing this eulogy would cause me to retrace my own
footsteps.
I’m often a deep thinker and I delve into things trying to figure out what it is
I’m suppose to learn from all of this. I read something the other day that gave me a
little insight. It said, “We are inclined to think that everything that happens is to
be turned into useful teaching. In actual fact, it is to be turned into something even
better than teaching, namely, character. [Our experiences] are not meant to teach us
anything, they are meant to make us something.”
It truly amazes me that God really does cause ALL things to work together for good. As
most all of you know, I was raised in an abusive home. My father was the abuser. I have
spent many years in support groups and counseling and then five years ago I gave my broken
heart to God for repairs. Words cannot describe the emotions brought on in the writing of
the eulogy. I cannot begin to express the irony of this service today. I have spent my
entire life hating this man that I love so dearly. And now, today, our relationship has
come full circle.
I thought, five years ago, when Christ forgave me that I forgave my father. But this past
week has shown me a different story. I thought, 17 months ago when he died, that all my
bitterness, anger and rage died too, but again I was wrong as the past week has also shown
me.
My first draft at this eulogy told you of all the horrible things he has done. My second
draft made a prime example of my father in how NOT to live. And now, I’m at my third
try at this. It has been a process of peeling back the layers of that bitter onion -- my
relationship with my dad. And now I know, that this day, this memorial service is not
about me or my rights. It is about my father. A man who lived his life without honor --
that I an honoring today.
My father, Bill Goundie, died on May 9th, 1997. He was 73 years old. His official cause of
death was respiratory failure, cancer of the lung, eskemic heart disease and he was a
chronic alcoholic. He also had diabetes and a year or so before his death had to have a
part of his foot amputated. My sister offered to take care of him but he refused. He said
he wanted to die alone. As a vagrant, he ended up in a homeless shelter, in Marysville,
California. He died in the hospital near the shelter. It then took two months before they
were able to locate any family members that were willing to claim his remains, which were
my mother, my sisters (Jennifer and Mary) and me. His brothers denied him.
My sister then kept his remains for the next 17 months. Little did I know, that God was
using this time to prepare me for this day. Finally, she was willing to let go and gave
the remains to my mother, who in turn shipped them to me. And I will be taking him back to
Childress, Texas, where he was born, to be buried along side his family.
In researching his final moments, I found that he was living at this shelter for quite
sometime. They remember him well and he was well liked among his peers. I spoke with the
mission yesterday and was told that Reverend Ash visited with my father quite a bit in the
hospital. Reverend Ash assures me, that without a doubt, that in my dad’s last days
he gave his heart to Christ. Even right before going to the hospital, he attended the
mission’s evening chapel services and on several occasions he answered many altar
calls and was prayed for and he in turn prayed for himself and for his family. Reverend
Ash said he was confident that he had found peace with the Lord and turned his life over
to Him.
I grieve the loss of my father, not in his death, but in his life. I’m very sorry
that he never knew peace. I’m sorry that he never knew the comfort of a loving family
and a stable life. It seems he spent his whole life wandering and lost. But now I know,
that he has found peace for his soul. I know he received Jesus Christ into his heart. I
rejoice in knowing that my father, my dad, has met our Savior face to face -- that he has
found comfort, peace, and shelter in the arms of our Lord.. I rejoice because of the
scripture that says: HE shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no
longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first
things have passed away... has come to pass for my father.
When I first started writing this tribute to my dad, it was very painful and sorrowful for
me. But now, it has turned to a time of rejoicing because it is no longer a passing that I
mourn today -- but rather, a “Home Going” that I celebrate.
So the full circle is this: Today, daddy, I thank you. Through you I was brought into this
world. And just like a new born baby’s cry is so important as it opens up all the air
passages in its lungs -- so too are the emotions you gave me. Because to the depth that I
have felt pain, is the depth I have felt love. Through you, daddy, I’ve learned the
power of forgiveness and compassion. Through you, I have learned love.
If I am to make an example of my dad’s life it would be this: That we have ALL sinned
and we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God. And no matter how low we fall, no matter
what wrongs we have done, no matter how little we have loved -- there is mercy and
forgiveness in Christ Jesus. And I think if my dad were here and could tell you his
thoughts, I believe it would be to not let life pass you by... don’t wait until the
end of your life to let Love in, love your family and your friends, and give your heart to
Jesus Christ.
Now, I would like to play a song for my dad, for all of us, entitled, “Mercy Said
No” and then close with a moment of prayer.
Mercy Said No
Words and Music by Greg Long, Don Koch & Dave Clark
I was just a child when I felt the Savior leading. I was drawn to what I could not
understand.
And for the cause of Christ I have spent my days believing that what He'd have me be is
who I am.
As I've come to see the weaker side of me, I've realized that His grace is what I need.
When sin demanded justice for my soul...
Mercy said no, I'm not gonna let you go, I'm not gonna let you slip away, you don't have
to be afraid.
Mercy said no, sin will never take control.
Life and death stood face to face, darkness tried to steal my heart away.
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no.
For God so loved the world that He sent his Son to save us. From the cross He built a
bridge to set us free.
But deep within our hearts there is still a war that rages and makes His sacrifice to hard
to see.
As midnight fell on crucifixion day, the light of hope seemed oh so far away.
As evil tried to stop redemption's flow...
Mercy said no, I'm not gonna let you go, I'm not gonna let you slip away, you don't have
to be afraid.
Mercy said no, sin will never take control.
Life and death stood face to face, darkness tried to steal my heart away.
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no.
And now when heaven looks at me, it's through the blood of Jesus, reminding me of one day
long ago...
Mercy said no, I'm not gonna let you go, I'm not gonna let you slip away, you don't have
to be afraid.
Mercy said no, sin will never take control.
Life and death stood face to face, darkness tried to steal my heart away.
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no.
Prayer
My dearest Father, in heaven, I thank You and bless Your holy name. Thank You for
allowing me the privilege of holding this memorial service and for the privilege of
carrying my father’s remains back to his birthplace. I pray that this service brings
honor to Your name and honor to my father’s name. Thank You, Jesus, for walking me
through this -- for carrying me when I thought my heart and mind were going to burst. I
thank You for the understanding of my family and friends. You are a wonderful Healer, O
Lord, and I thank You for healing this father and daughter relationship -- for bringing us
full circle -- back to each other. I thank You and give You praise and glory because I
will see my daddy again one day. Until that day, Lord, please hug him for me and tell him
that I love him. And most of all, Lord, I thank You for Your mercy and Your grace to
forgive for Your grace truly is sufficient. Through You we are forgiven, cleansed and made
right in the presence of God. Now Lord, I pray that You receive my father’s spirit
unto You.
And in closing this prayer, Lord, I pray for all of us. I pray for everyone here. My
family, both present and absent, and my friends. I pray that this day marks the beginning
of something wonderful. I pray that today marks the renewing of our hearts and of our
minds. Help us, O Lord to love one another just as You have loved us. Teach us to care for
one another with patience, love and understanding. Walk with us, Jesus, so that when our
time has come, we will have peace in our hearts that we have loved and are loved
immensely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bill Goundie is survived by his daughters...
[ Dosis Ministries ] [ Prayer ] [ Living Testimonies ] [ Daily Devotional ] [ His Body ] [ In His Service ] [ Special Projects ] [ Links ] [ Photo Albums ] [ About Dosis Ministries ]
Dosis
MinistriesTM
