I attended a memorial service of a soccer buddy of mine this past week. I have been to many funeral services and even presided some but this was one of the touching services I have experienced in a long time.
The man who passed away was so called “Christian” for many years but he really got to experience God’s grace and love within last few months as he was fighting cancer. When I visited him a couple of months ago, he was sharing his testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ with others who came to comfort him. Praise the Lord!
During the memorial service, one of his closest friends came and sang the song called, “친구여” (Friends) in Korean. As he was singing the song, for some reason the lyric hit me hard. Here is the lyric in Korean (sorry to those who can’t read Korean)…
꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여
옛 일 생각이 날때마다
우리 잃어버린 정 찾아
친구여 꿈속에서 만날까
조용히 눈을 감네
슬픔도 기쁨도
외로움도 함께 했지
부푼 꿈~을 안고
내일을~ 다짐하던
우리 굳~센 약속
어디에
꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여
슬픔도 기쁨도
외로움도 함께 했지
부푼 꿈~을 안고
내일을~ 다짐하던
우리 굳~센 약속
어디에
꿈은 하늘에서 잠자고
추억은 구름따라 흐르고
친구여 모습은 어딜 갔나
그리운 친구여
He burst into tears toward the end of the song. It was evident that they were very close friends. Truly it is a blessing to have FRIENDS whom you can go through sorrow, joy, and pain of life together.
I remember the saying, “If you want to be a friend, be one forever.” I want to say, “Thank you!” to all my friends out there and I cherish every moment of our friendship.
God bless you my friends!