Funerals

We have had a couple of funerals recently, and they are always different, aren't they? Whether held at church or the funeral home, the music, the order of service, speakers, Gospel presentation...those things seem to set the stage so to speak. I've been really impressed by how the funerals capture the people being remembered and honored. Some are almost high energy with so much to say and see and learn. Others are quieter and more serious. Some have a holy reverence to them, others are trying to cheer us as the person did in life. Some make you think about how your own funeral will be; how will I be remembered? Have I done my best for Jesus? Still others are just a time to mourn and finally get to reflect on the life you will miss here on this side of Heaven. At todays, the seating was such that I just got to stand for a minute looking at many precious saints whose lives have touched my own tremendously the past two years. 

I am thankful for our precious church family. We've been through a great deal together. Not being involved in a church, serving, living, loving, and toiling together is choosing to miss out on the greatest blessing in the life of a Christian. Church life should fill most of our time outside of taking care of our family and work. It doesn't leave tons of time for other things, but it is so worth it. Those other things ideally will be serving your community and trying to reach them for Christ, or strengthening families God puts in your path. 

In this age of social media and internet, it can be easy to ignore the reality of serving in our community, but good societies are built on strong communities and communities are built on strong families. We're so fragmented in the USA for a variety of reasons, but we can counteract some of those if we will take the time to give of ourselves in person with the people living, working, and dying in our town.