We buried my aunt last week. Her death was somewhat unexpected, even though she was 94.5. She had been a DCE serving multiple churches in Virginia, and one in Chattanooga, TN. She also worked as an interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg after finishing with churches. She was a Diaconal Minister, and was my dad's sister.
I was going to write this week about how sad it is to outlive everyone who knew you. My cousin, her nephew, planned just a graveside service because he didn't really expect anyone to be there. It had been 30 years since she had been employed by a church, and at least 10 since she had attended Annual Conference, but I and her Pastor sent her info to the Conference Office, who sent it out by email. To my everlasting surprise, and my cousin's complete shock, there were in the neighborhood of 30 people (including a retired Bishop) who came out in the cold rain to bear witness to her life. We shared stories and told of the ways she had touched and changed our lives. It truly was a holy moment.
I think about the disciples. Most were fisherfolk. They expected to live their lives fishing. Even after meeting Jesus they never would have expected that more than 2000 years later we would still remember their names. They were just living their lives as faithfully and authentically as they could. We never know the impact we are having on the people around us. Most of the time we just go day by day living our lives as best we can, and do not expect to leave any sort of lasting legacy. Why are we here? What is the purpose of our lives? These are questions we really cannot answer for ourselves. It is up to the people we touch to make those determinations. All we can do is live faithfully, and try to be a blessing to those we meet. But in the end it is nice to know that some of those people we touched will remember...
Loving God, you were there to hear our borning cry, you were there as we grew. In the middle ages of our lives, as we age, and when we reach the end you will still be with us. In all those ages and stages we pray for your guiding presence as we strive to live faithfully, with honesty, integrity, and authenticity. May we touch those who cross our paths with the same love and compassion you would show them. May we see your face in all those we meet, so that their memories of us will be strong and positive..........Amen
I was going to write this week about how sad it is to outlive everyone who knew you. My cousin, her nephew, planned just a graveside service because he didn't really expect anyone to be there. It had been 30 years since she had been employed by a church, and at least 10 since she had attended Annual Conference, but I and her Pastor sent her info to the Conference Office, who sent it out by email. To my everlasting surprise, and my cousin's complete shock, there were in the neighborhood of 30 people (including a retired Bishop) who came out in the cold rain to bear witness to her life. We shared stories and told of the ways she had touched and changed our lives. It truly was a holy moment.
I think about the disciples. Most were fisherfolk. They expected to live their lives fishing. Even after meeting Jesus they never would have expected that more than 2000 years later we would still remember their names. They were just living their lives as faithfully and authentically as they could. We never know the impact we are having on the people around us. Most of the time we just go day by day living our lives as best we can, and do not expect to leave any sort of lasting legacy. Why are we here? What is the purpose of our lives? These are questions we really cannot answer for ourselves. It is up to the people we touch to make those determinations. All we can do is live faithfully, and try to be a blessing to those we meet. But in the end it is nice to know that some of those people we touched will remember...
Loving God, you were there to hear our borning cry, you were there as we grew. In the middle ages of our lives, as we age, and when we reach the end you will still be with us. In all those ages and stages we pray for your guiding presence as we strive to live faithfully, with honesty, integrity, and authenticity. May we touch those who cross our paths with the same love and compassion you would show them. May we see your face in all those we meet, so that their memories of us will be strong and positive..........Amen
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