What a difference a day can make. Today’s word is: hope.
I just returned from a funeral. So, hmmmm. I say my word is hope? What?
At first you would think I’d be all sad and worn out from it. The funeral was at my church for the husband of a very good friend of mine. It was attended by her large, beautiful extended family, and by many friends, and fellow church members. Our church was full. Extra chairs were brought in to accommodate everyone. We sang hymns, heard scripture read, listened to a message, and took communion together.
I say there is nothing like a good funeral to remind a person about how to live now, about how to make moments count, about how to put your hope in God’s assurance. He will not leave you. He will not forget you. He offers everlasting life. And, even tho we don’t know until we die what it really all means and what He has in mind for us in heaven, it doesn’t matter. Because, we know it will be good. In fact, great. At the end of the funeral service this morning the congregation said together ‘we commend your servant. Here is a sheep of your own fold, a sinner of your redeeming.’ We say it because we know he is not here anymore, but he is there with God. Here is an important person to all of us. Take care of him.
That’s a pretty comforting thing.
How do I connect this to Advent? Hope. We prepare during Advent for Christm, and we wait to hear the story again of the birth of baby Jesus. We look to the son, born, lived and died – and then rose and lived again. Conquering death. It all starts with a birth at Christmas – and leads to re-birth and eternal life at Easter.
So… Funerals remind me about life after death, and they give me hope, probably more than any other kind of church service.
Marla’s Musings 