<p> Celebration of Life - Oliver ‘s Story</p><p>We have come here today because of Love. You either love Austin and Shannon or you loved this precious baby boy, Oliver, even before he was born. Or you know and love someone who loved Oliver. We come together today as a collective body full of loving hearts to be of support. Oliver came into this world with a heart that was trusting and loving….unbelievably innocent. The love he brought to this family will forever affect every life gathered here and the light of his life has the capacity to make this world a better place as we remember and honor his short but sweet light. Last night as I prayed and tried to humbly put something on paper to honor Oliver, I was inspired by the remembrance of his tiny little nose and eyes whose image you can see on the bulletin. </p><p>We have three tasks to do today: We’re going to celebrate the light of Oliver’s life, we’ll glorify God and give thanks, and lastly we’ll do our best to comfort Shannon, Austin and their families.</p><p>This precious baby was given the name, Oliver, and make no mistake, this name was chosen carefully to give us a message. Austin and Shannon researched the meaning of the Olive tree and believed it was perfect for their son. If you’ve ever been to the holy land you will find hundreds of acres dedicated to its growth. In both Israel and Greece the people understand its significance. They grow in almost any condition: on terraced hills or in valleys, in rocky or fertile soil. The characteristics of the olive tree are used by the writers of the Bible to tell us more about God, about the Israelites and our relationship to each other. Olive oil has been used to light the lamps throughout the scriptures (Exodus 27:20, Lev. 24:2), it has been used as medicine and for anointing oil in religious ceremonies for spiritual healing of the heart. </p><p>The olive branch has been known as a symbol for peace and hope throughout recorded history. We see it in the story of the flood when Noah sent out a dove and the dove returned with an olive branch signifying to the family that there was dry land somewhere out there. The eagle on the seal of the United States clutches an olive branch to symbolize peace. It was seen as a significant gift: even King Solomon sent the King of Tyre 100,000 gallons of olive oil as a gift. In the Psalms we see the how the Olive Tree symbolizes faithfulness and steadfastness. Psalm 52:8 says, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercies of God forever and ever.” It is said that an Olive tree will never die, even if it is cut down or burned, something will emerge from the roots. This reminds us of our task as we stand here today. We know and believe without a doubt that even though Oliver’s earthly body did not sustain, his life will bear fruit. </p><p>Even Jesus looked to the Mount of Olives as a place in Jerusalem where he could regularly go with his disciples to gain strength. It was there that they would rest and pray. </p><p>So both for Austin and Shannon, this beautiful place that you have chosen is a place where you can feel the brush of angel wings, where you can come in your grief and weep your tears freely, yet hopefully you can rise as you have felt assured of eternal life for your precious baby boy. </p><p>As we heard Mark read the poem just a few minutes ago, I especially was drawn to a couple of lines. The first one begs us to ask important questions: “You’ll hear that it was “meant to be, God doesn’t make mistakes.” Let us be clear about this, God knows your pain like no one else for God sent his own son into the world and it was cruel and brutal for Jesus. No one weeps more for you than the tears that fall in heaven from our heavenly father who would have wanted 80 long years for this precious child. So when we ask the question, “Why,” and don’t believe that this was “God’s will”, then how can we understand? </p><p>1 Celebration of Life - Oliver ‘s Story</p><p>The place of anger and frustration brings out the biggest questions of our lives. One of the best books that I know on this wilderness experience was written by Rabbi Harold Kushner after the untimely death of his son. When he asked the question why, he came to the conclusion that many times life is just not fair, bad things happen to good people. </p><p>As Christians, it is so important to remember that our Loving God that we read about from I John is not about punishing and wants only the best for us. God’s perfect will for Oliver would have been to live a long and productive life.</p><p>Adam Hamilton, our senior pastor, says in his magnificent little book, “Why,” that God will take that which seems like the darkest valley and redeem it. God will bend and turn whatever is the worst and make it work for us. </p><p>He says in his book: Evil and suffering are part of life. Yet God walks with us through times of suffering. God also uses us to care for one another in the midst of suffering and in the wake of evil. But there’s something more that God does: God forces evil and suffering to serve God. God brings good from evil. God takes our sorrow, suffering and sinning and bends it, redeems it, and sanctifies us through it. God redeems the suffering and uses it for our good. </p><p>Do you get that idea of how God bends it….literally turning what was the worst into the light, so that good can come from it?</p><p>For Shannon and Austin, right now you cannot yet know the fullness of how Oliver’s life will continue to impact you and shape you into magnificent strong Christian people, but it will. I would leave us with one final story of hope that comes from a little book entitled, “Final Gifts.” A middle-aged man told us his mother had died the previous year. The mother had been in a coma for several weeks, but moments before she died, she awoke, broke into a beautiful smile, and reached for something unseen. She put her arms together and looked down joyfully as if cradling a baby. She died in that posture with a look of happiness on her face. There is a story behind this touching scene. The man explained that his mother’s first baby had died just moments after birth. She went on to have five other children; all of whom survived and grew into adulthood. “We all knew Mother had lost a baby, but we never talked about it,” he said. From the look on her face, I know she died holding that baby again!” </p><p>Shannon and Austin, this week that you have lived through, has brought a new light into your life that will help your own lights burn brighter in the world. This precious light of his life will be forever in your lives until the thin veil is parted and you reach the other side when together somehow in the another realm you will hold your baby again both perfect and whole, then you will see him surely face to face. </p><p>This is the gift of the promise of the gospel message that this is not the end of the story there is the assurance of the promise in the life everlasting through the remembrance of our resurrected Lord, Jesus the Christ. </p><p>ALLTHIS TO HONOR OLIVER .</p><p>2 Celebration of Life - Oliver ‘s Story</p><p>In the name of our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.</p><p>Will you pray with me:</p><p>“Oh gracious God, help us to remember forever and always the sweet light that was brought into this world with the life of Oliver. Help us never to forget the amazing gifts that were given at this life. Help us to know more clearly the amazing grace that was shown throughout his life. Help us to remember this that we might live better and that our own lights might shine more brightly. In your Son’s Holy name we pray, Amen.”</p><p>3</p>