Barbara Colene Houck

Barbara Colene Bumgarner was born on July 17, 1931. She was married to Wayburn Lee Houck on June 6, 1952. Colene Houck entered into her eternal rest on Monday, February 19, 2018, at the age of 86. She is survived by her 4 children - Charles, Alan, Jean, and Kathy; and 3 grandchildren - Heather, Alisha, and Evan. While I did not have the privilege of knowing Colene, in listening to others tell stories about her and sharing memories, it became apparent to me a Scripture that well describes Colene is Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” For most of her life, Colene did not have much and endured all kinds of hardship. Yet for all of that, she was strong for her family. That’s what this word for “meek” means. It is strength under control, like a wild bronco that once tamed will let a little child ride on its back. Colene could have channeled her strength in a number of different ways, not all of which would have been good or right, but she didn’t. She channeled her strength under control toward her family. Oftentimes, she was the one providing the food for the family to eat. Other times, she was the one enduring the hardships and difficulties of marriage for the sake of her family. Rather than lashing out or provoking injury, she kept her strength under control for the sake of others. Jesus calls such people “blessed,” which means “truly happy.” Though she had to endure much hardship and suffering, especially in the last years of her life in battling Alzheimer’s, she has now entered into the true and eternal happiness that comes from being in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

You see, Jesus isn’t talking about a natural meekness that may be part of a person’s general personality and makeup. Jesus is here talking about a meekness that can only come from knowing and walking with the Lord. Colene knew Jesus and trusted in Him and Him alone for her salvation. It was because of Christ that Colene did not lash out or strike back. It is natural for us as sinners to want to assert our rights. If somebody has wronged us, we do not want to turn the other cheek; we want to have our revenge. We want to fight back in our natural state. And perhaps Colene was like that before her conversion. But in Jesus, He gives us the strength to control our passions and emotions. He gave that to Colene. He gives us the strength to not assert our own way and rights. He gave that to Colene. He gives us His strength in our weakness. He gave that to Colene. Jesus was there with her through the ups and downs of life. He can be there with you also and give you this meekness. If you are not trusting in Jesus alone for your salvation, He beckons you to repent and come to Him just like Colene did and you can know this true happiness that can only come from Jesus.

Matthew 5:5 also tells us about a reward. It says the meek will inherit the earth. Colene did not have much. But in Christ, she has gained a whole world. For now, her soul experiences being present with Jesus Christ in glory. One day, Jesus is going to come back for her body and body and soul will be reunited and Colene will enjoy an imperishable body and live in the New Heavens and New Earth. Listen to how Revelation 21 describes this: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” The tears that Colene shed, the mourning and crying she did, the pain she experienced, has passed away in Jesus Christ. He Himself has wiped them away. And on that great day when her body and soul are reunited, she will live eternally on a renewed earth that is beautiful beyond words. Again, listen to how Scripture describes it: “the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” I don’t know if Colene ever saw a piece of gold in her life, but she’s seeing it now in part because her inheritance consists of a place where the streets are made of gold. Though she may not have had much in this life, though she may not have had the fame and prestige and power and influence that comes with being a person of importance such as a king or President or athlete or innovator or an inventor, she has gained what is truly important and that is Jesus Christ. His inheritance that He has given to Colene is beyond comparison to anything in this world. The powerful may rule this world for a short period of time. Colene has inherited a renewed world that will last for eternity. All because she belonged to Jesus Christ and trusted in Him alone to forgive her of her sins. This inheritance and meekness can belong to you too if you will turn from your sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Just as He worked in Colene’s life, He can work in yours. Amen.

Now hear the words of committal: Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God of His great mercy to take to Himself the soul of our dear sister here departed, we therefore commit her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in Jesus shall be changed, and made like unto His own glorious body, according to the mighty power whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself.

Let us pray: Almighty God, who by the death of Your dear Son Jesus Christ has destroyed death, by His rest in the tomb has sanctified the graves of the saints, and by His glorious resurrection has brought life and immortality to light: We ask that You would comfort the family, relatives, and friends here today who are now embarking on the journey of grief. May they receive Your consolation from Your Word and Your Body, which is the Church. Help us to minister to them and walk with them in this journey for the days, weeks, and months ahead. Keep us in the everlasting arms of our Savior who is the Resurrection and the life; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Benediction: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always.