A Love that Remains

(This is the final installment in a three-part series. You can find the first part here and the second part here.)

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5 years later

The scent of roses stung Natalia’s nose. She looked up to see Philip placing a bouquet of crimson blooms on top of the casket. He glanced over at her, and she gave a quick nod of acknowledgement. 

She peered sideways at the clock on the wall. Only two minutes remained before the service started. Pastor Raymond was making his way toward the front of the church. Soon it would be time.

Natalia placed her arm around Faye, who sat beside her, and clasped her shoulder firmly. “It’s going to be alright,” she whispered. Faye nodded before leaning back on her.

The soft piano music ended, and Pastor Raymond began speaking, his voice as soothing as a spring rain. “We have gathered here today to commemorate the life of Rusty Vanderbeck, a man of faith who was known and loved by many in this community…”

It would take more than a spring rain to break through the cloud of numbness that surrounded Natalia. She felt as though she was submerged underwater. Everything was muffled and muted. Perhaps it was her way of protecting herself from the sharp pain that she knew would come in time.

She stood silently as the congregation sang two of Rusty’s favorite hymns, “Rock of Ages” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” and she sat quietly as Faye played “Cinderella” on her violin while the lyrics scrolled across the screen. Tears pricked her eyes. This was not how it was supposed to be. She should have played this at her wedding years from now, not at her father’s funeral.

But there was no more time to think, for after Faye finished playing, it was Natalia’s turn to take the stage. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

“Rusty was bringing flowers for me on his way home when it happened,” she began. The faintest hint of a smile crossed her face. “He always insisted on buying roses for Valentine’s Day, even though I told him it wasn’t necessary. It was just like him. That was only one of the ways he showed his love for me. The twenty-two years we were married were the best years of my life. I’ll always be grateful for the gift God provided when He gave me Rusty as my husband.”

All the other words she had planned to say stuck in her throat and refused to come, so Natalia simply closed her eyes and shook her head gently before gliding off the stage and sitting down once more.

After she returned to her seat, Philip plodded toward the platform. He cleared his throat, then began. “It all started with a puppy named Faith—the best gift anybody ever gave me. I didn’t know Rusty all that well until one day a while back when he invited me to come over to pick a puppy from his litter. Something special happened that day. Looking back now, I can see that God was working. He always is. That day, Rusty was His messenger to me. He invited me to stay for breakfast, and, well, it’s hard for a fellow to say no to that, especially when the cooking is good.” Chuckles swept across the congregation, and Natalia blushed.

“That was the first of many meals I shared with the Vanderbecks,” Philip went on. “Rusty had me come over most every week for—oh, I suppose it’s been about five years by now. Time flies. Anyhow, I got to see that he and his wife were the real deal when it comes to believing in God, and after a few months, I decided to believe in Him too. Rusty took me on as a baby believer in need of all the help I could get.” Philip chuckled. “He sure was patient. I must’ve asked about fifty questions some weeks. All these things had stacked up inside my head for years. Rusty helped me as best as he could. He invited me to this church”—his gaze swept the congregation—“and whenever my questions were too hard for him to answer, he pointed me to Pastor Raymond. I’ve learned and grown so much these past few years, it’s amazing. It’s all God’s work, of course, but Rusty was His faithful servant.” He paused. “Oh, and as for Faith, she’s stuck by my side all these years and been the most faithful dog a man could find.”

Natalia smiled. As much as she missed Rusty, she could feel his presence in the story Philip shared, and that was a comfort. A few of Rusty’s brothers and sisters took turns sharing their memories, as well as a couple of friends from church. Then Pastor Raymond took the pulpit.

“I’ve been deeply moved sitting here and listening to all these memories of our brother Rusty,” he began. “Even though he’s no longer on this earth, the love he shared lives on. But I don’t want anyone leaving here today and thinking that the purpose of life is to try to be like Rusty. The love that he gave didn’t start with him—it started with God. The love that motivated the Father to send His Son to save us from sin also flowed through Rusty. And that’s the love he wanted all of us to know.”

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Natalia kneaded her hands in her lap as she listened to Pastor Raymond give the closing prayer at the graveside. As he spoke, she added a silent prayer of her own. Lord, thank You for giving me Rusty for all those years and showing Your love for me through him. And thank you that even though Rusty is no longer here, Your love for me remains.

As she stood with the others, Natalia glanced at the cluster of roses on the casket once more. Indeed, there was no greater love.