Behold the Crunch

I need some humor to keep from weeping. Today the Taylor's lost their beloved dog Jackson, the Pit Bull Terrier that came to them when we were first meeting in their home on Sundays. Jackson was part of the Christ Fellowship family. When he contracted parvo we all were with Christina, Russell, Nate, Ben and Ashlynn for his recovery. It was a long and drawn ordeal. We rejoiced when Jackson pulled through.
Tomorrow will be Russell and Christina's last Sunday at Christ Fellowship. They will soon be moving to the panhandle, to Navarre, to start a new church plant. Our prayers and heartfelt sorrow go with them, in the leaving of Jackson behind. I know that when we moved from our previous locations, we wanted to exhume our pets and bring them along as well. I told Christina on Facebook tonight that while I have attended many human funerals over the years, never have I cried so hard as over the graves of our beloved pets.
In a way, the death of Jackson, like the death of Stonewall Jackson, was a final blow that ultimately ended the war for the South. This is a metaphor for the final blow that Russell and Christina have endured while in Lake City. They have stood, like Jackson, as a Stonewall. We salute Russell and Christina and their family who will move to greener and friendlier pastures we pray. They need a respite from the battle. Grant it Lord.