That's a weird title (and subject) for a blog, but that's where my life has been lately, so here goes...

I was at a most unusual funeral recently - my mother-in-law's, who was ninety-six. I heard several people comment, 'I've never been at such a happy funeral' - which sounds completely wrong, but was oh, so right.

Isabel had lived all of her ninety-six years to the very fullest. Not by the world's standards - she didn't achieve 'success' by power, or money, or position. She was a servant, in every sense of the word. She served her family, her church, her friends and community. She followed the Way of Jesus, not the way of the world. Her son (my husband) shared at her funeral that "I, me, mine" were not in her vocabulary and you know, I don't think I ever heard her say those words. He said she talked about "my family, my church, my Savior". Her calling and joy was to serve others. Her life had a way of impacting others around her because of her example of self-less love and care of others.

So, yes - the atmosphere at calling hours was one more of a party than sorrow or loss. Oh, there was sadness and it was, indeed, a huge loss in our lives, but the joy of knowing her and having had her for so long out-weighed the grief. There was laughter over shared memories, there were reunions of family members and old friends, there was great joy and gratitude for the gift of her life connecting with ours.

I don't think I'm morbid, but my thoughts did go to my own funeral someday. (Come on, admit that death always seems closer to us when we lose someone!) Will my life have the same impact? How about yours? Admitedly, part of our joy was in the length of time we were able to love her and have her in our lives, but the question remains for me - will there be more joy at my funeral than sorrow? Will others laugh and reminisce of good times together, or will there be unfinished business or regrets?

What I'm learning to apply (because I've always 'known' it to be true, but it's hard to put into practice) is that every day counts. Even the tough ones. And the ones that aren't so wonderful or great. Even the boring ones! Everything matters because time is short and God has given us a job to do while we live here on earth.

The question is - am I doing it well? Am I even 'running the race' that Paul talks about in 1 Cor. 9:24 and 2 Tim 4:7? Will I say with him that "I've kept the faith?"

I want to. That's my heartfelt prayer today. That I run the race God has put before me. I pray that you will run it as well. Because the celebration for a life well-lived on earth is nothing to the party that's going on in heaven when we first hear those words found in Matthew 25 and Luke 19, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

All for Him

Missy

Labels: Missy