I went to a funeral on Saturday. The lady whose life we were celebrating died on All Saints Day, a fact that did not go unnoticed by those in attendance. The church was full, a testament to the many, many people who loved her. I am hopeful that her husband of 62 years and her 3 sons were comforted by the number of people who wanted to be there to say “we loved her too.” Her life told a very good story and her story changed each of us who had the privilege of knowing her.
I knew her because she and her husband were long time volunteers at the Lamb Center. She liked to tell jokes and she had a joyous sparkle in her eye that you could see from across the room. She was funny and kind and full of life. While I didn’t know her well, the stories shared by her family and friends were consistent with what I had experienced in the relatively short time I had known her. The most beautiful epitaph shared on Saturday was this: “Her ministry was love. And she poured out love everywhere she went.” I saw her ministry of love in action and I’m grateful that a little of that splashed on me. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
As I have shared already, one of the speakers at the conference last week suggested that we would benefit from asking ourselves “How do I want to be remembered?” Going to a memorial service is a great reminder of this truth. If I want to live an intentional life of focus, as opposed to the drifting life of reaction, I must choose the direction that I am going. Understanding that I am a work in progress, I still need to figure out where I am headed. How do I want to be described by my friends and family at my funeral? What words would I hope would be carefully chosen to describe the impact my story had on those I love?
I like the idea of someone describing me by saying “her ministry was love.” That inspires me and gives me focus as I choose how to spend my time and energy. A worthy goal, an admirable aspiration, a target for which to shoot. And it fits with what Jesus told the man who asked Him to simplify all the commandments. In a word, He said, “Love.” Not always easy, but very simple. I like simple.
What would you like for people to say about you at your funeral?
This post was perfect timing for me. I also attended a service on Sat for a dear friend and Jesus mentor, Myra Sparkman. She was born into a non practicing Jewish family in Charleston, SC 65 years ago, When she became a Christian her family really did not accept her new faith. They loved her deeply and her brother even spoke of her strong faith at the service. She bravely battled cancer for 8 years after a 6 month prognosis. She was a Bible Study Fellowship leader 25 years ago when I met her. She went on to offer bible studies for Moms of young children, She was amazing, If you met Myra you heard about her Jesus. She asked us all to continue to pray for her brother and sister and their families. I join her prayers that one day they will join her in heaven. God Bless you Myra. As her pictures were displayed on the big screen and “I Am Redeemed” was playing I even thought to myself what a wonderful legacy (her son, daughter in law, grandson and husband all believe) she left her family. The verse she asked me to pray as she battled cancer was ” I will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord” Psalm 118:17. I thought it was so fitting because she is ALIVE with Christ and her life was a declaration f what the Lord had done in her life. Now that is a legacy to inspire us all as she now joins the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone on before us,
Chris, thank you so much for sharing your story about Myra. Thank God for those who come before us and pave the way. Blessings to you!
this was a good poscast from James Dobson after loosing a close friend after her batle with cancer. http://www.drjamesdobson.org/Broadcasts/Broadcast?i=d57b3031-65ac-4daf-a7f4-6f8a7e7f779d&sc=FFB