Three times this week, I’ve been exposed to the loss of people I know. I watched the funeral for President Bush. Some of the things at his funeral really moved me and caused me to think. To paraphrase, hatred corrodes whatever holds it, which is nutritious food for thought in today’s social climate. The other idea was to always preach Christ; if necessary, use words. Actions preach way louder than words.
Hubby and I attended a memorial service for the man who sold us our motor home, but then became a friend. He was a very generous man with his money and advice. Hubby loved going to his sales lot and helping out when he needed an extra hand. The man had successfully fought cancer, but died in his sleep one night. He was my age. One of the speakers talked about how we are all islands, with water-filled space between us, but if you look deep down, we’re all connected. Even though things come between us, we are still connected with each other.
I listened to a radio program where my editor talked about her son’s suicide and how she and her husband, a Baptist minister, have dealt with the loss. Needless to say, it’s been a very hard year for them, but their faith in God has carried them along. Their child took his life, but not theirs. They have children and grandchildren who need their attention and guidance. Knowing how much others need them helps them move forward.
When people’s lives are summarized at funerals, no one mentions how big their house was, what kind of car they drove, or the stuff they had. They talk about their interactions with others and how they treated people. Like they said at Bush’s funeral, we should leave the world a better place than we found it. We do that by giving of ourselves and helping others. We do it by showing kindness to everyone, whether they deserve it or not. It’s all about Matthew 6:19-20 and laying up treasures in heaven. If you look deep enough, we all need kindness, good experiences, and respect. If we can do that for each other, then the space between us will be less.
Beautifully said, Carol. I appreciated the image of us surrounded by water, reminded of the song “No Man Is an Island.” It occurs to me that if Jesus is the living water, then we are surrounded by Him and that is a very, very good thing.