Week 4 Memory Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Yesterday I attended the funeral of one of my dear friend's father. I didn't know the man, but I'd heard my friend talk about her father on many occasions. I knew that he was a Christian, so I had no doubt as to where his eternal home would be. Nonetheless, as you can imagine, that family was still very mournful of their loss of husband, daddy, and granddaddy. During the service, the congregation was invited to stand and share any remarks of the memories they had of this man. I was so moved in listening to the comments people made about him. From men who had served with him in the Korean War all the way to people who shared breakfast with him at Hardees, they stood and shared about the impact this gentleman had made in their lives. And one common thing was said over and over, "Floyd loved the Lord, and that love was shown in his life toward others." I couldn't help but think of what Jesus said about the two greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself." Over and over through the testimonies I heard people saying this was the life this man lived.
As I reflect on that funeral service, I have to stop and wonder, what would people say about me at my funeral? Now I'm not trying to be morbid here, and I'm certainly not looking for the praise of man, but - I do have to ask myself the question, "where is my light shining"? God has given me a time-span of life to live - am I fully living that life for Him? Am I truly loving Him fully, and my neighbor as myself. This would be a great opportunity for the enemy to jump in and beat me up in my failures, but you know, instead I think I'll just give my God the praise, honor and glory for first allowing me to be at the funeral service, and then second, this time of reflection in my own life.
O God, You are so good to me. Forgive me when I become so busy in this life that I don't let others see Your love in and through me. Lord Jesus, shine Your light through me that others may praise the Father in heaven.
1 comment:
Thank you Donna for this post. Seeing that daddy's life is still having an impact even in his death brings me so much comfort. I miss him so much, my hands are just itching to pick up the phone, he always answered after one ring, sometimes the ring didn't even finish..... I will even miss debating (kind word) :-) politics with him. :-/
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