I attended two funerals this last week. Two people that were probably very different, but also had a lot in common. Both of them had endured and fought through brokenness in their bodies, and both tried their hardest to mask the physical pain they were in because they did not want to trouble loved ones. As I listened to their stories told by siblings, a couple of things stuck out in their stories that touched me.
Both had been born without a silver spoon in the mouths. They had worked hard and long to achieve what they had achieved in life, and were proud (the healthy kind of pride) of who they had become.
Both of them never met a stranger. They found ways to befriend people, and once you were their friend, you were connected for life. They realized the importance of being connected in life and the value of relationships.
Both of them had a strong sense of devotion to their families, and placed a priority on time spent with family. They helped their families in whatever ways they could, whether it was needed encouragement or financial help, or a “telling to” about how life should be.
Both of them had a strong sense of compassion. One helped others by being public about the help they were providing, and the other helped in secret, anonymously providing care to people in need. They were driven by compassion for and a sense of obligation to others.
And at both of their funerals, as their eulogies were given, it was said of them that there were lots of stories that they could tell of their siblings, but there were also lots of stories that they could not tell.
What a remarkable legacy both of these people left behind. One of hard work, and the sense of satisfaction that came from that hard work. One of compassionate love and active care for others, both in and out of family.
But neither of them saw their sense of service and help, nor their faith in God, as an albatross to carry around their neck. They saw them as opportunities to live life to the fullest, and to make the most of the short time we have here on earth. They were a blessing to others.
What is the legacy you will leave behind? Each of us is different. We are unique, as these two people were. Our legacy does not have to be the same as theirs, but in our uniqueness, we are also given the opportunity to make the most of the life we are given: to love fully and passionately; and to be good and generous stewards of the gifts that God has given us in our lives.
May worship be a blessing to you today, and may you be moved to love passionately, as God loves.
Blessings, Sonny