I took some food up to the preaching school for my brother and sister's lunch. When we pulled up we could see a whole car full of people dressed very nicely in dark colours and Dad told me there was funeral service there later that morning. I looked down at my jean skirt and polo and realized how much of a frump I looked in comparison! I felt disrespectful somehow! But I greeted the sweet people as they sat there on the bench outside the building....shook the older gentleman's hand, kissed the cheek of this sweetheart older grandmother....dressed and coiffed to perfection. I found out that the funeral was for a lady from a congregation we attended twice before and I wasn't sure if I could remember her, but I did know the brethren so I decided to drop the food off and run back to the house, change and come back. So I did....I called my younger sister at the house and she ironed my black shirt for me. I did a record breaking clothes change, grabbed a purse from Mom's closet that looked a sight better than the grunge-green messenger bag I had been carrying...hopped in the car and Dad drove me back to the building. The cars were parked way down the road so he dropped me by the corner and I walked up to the building. The family was standing just inside the door by the open casket. One of the granddaughters was handing out the programs, but I don't remember that part to well, because as I looked at the casket, I realized that the sister who had died was one of the ladies that went door-knocking on a walkabout with us one night. She was 75 and fighting cancer at the time, but she still came and even though I only met her twice and spent maybe a total of 4 hours with her....I remembered her so vividly! There were so many people in attendance- As I sat in the pew and listened to the family remember their mother and grandmother, as scripture was read, as songs were sung and as the lesson was presented on the gospel plan of salvation, I was struck by how this woman's faithfulness effected so many! Words like generous, strong, gentle, faithful, willing, loving and compassionate were used over and over. One of her close friends and sisters in Christ read a beautiful memorial, and she was so touched that her daughters stood up beside her to give her strength and courage. It was touching and I learned the verse of weep with those who weep, right there. It was beautiful. A faithful Christian going home. And her family positively influenced and dedicated to stay strong by way of her.
The song Farther Along was lead and we sang it while people who wanted to could go and view the casket once more. We sang the whole song three times and the chorus more times than I remember, but I loved how the people were all so supportive! The emotions and caring was tangible. And then it was over...people quickly dispersed for the cemetery and I texted Dad for a ride back. While I was waiting I chatted with the students from the school and they asked me, "So have you ever been to a funeral on your birthday?" And I chuckled a little and said "No, never on my birthday" and smiled. But inside I was thinking about how little 25 years on this earth is compared to eternity; I was thinking about the number of people I've met and how I've influenced them. I was thinking about what would be said at my funeral!! What would be said at your funeral? It's good to think about those things: would they say faithful? Always cheerful? Or would they pick something else, oh, it would be good because you always focus on the good of people at funerals, but would there be an overflowing of faithfulness, inspiration to other to be so?
You might think it's a little strange or morbid, but I'm very thankful I went to a funeral on my birthday. It made me really think. Really check my priorities. We should take every opportunity to check ourselves and be sure we are going the way we should. To be faithful to God. That's the most important thing you can ever do in your life. Ever.
I'll probably always remember my 25th birthday- and the funeral of the woman I met only twice. Because she lived for God and encouraged me to be even more faithful, to be even more encouraging and to thank God for every day with which He blesses me.
