I'm not sure what I'm about to write as I sit here, but the title came to me as soon as I opened the blank page. I haven't written in some time now. Life has been crazy and I'm trying desperately to keep up!
Let me start by sharing a story...what I usually do best. A couple of weeks ago a young lady from the church I am attending was killed in a horrible car accident. She was 24 years YOUNG!! I attended her memorial service and my company also donated food for the meal afterward, so I also set up the catering. When I arrived at the church and met Ashley's family I was in complete shock. I never would have known it was her parents, as they did not show any outward sign of grief. In fact they laughed and talked about how I knew their daughter. When I finished speaking with them about the food after the burial I went in for the service. The pastor went to the pulpit and announced that the service would not be like a "traditional" funeral. He said, "We're gonna do this Ashley style" and invited everyone to stand while the family came in and they began a lively upbeat worship session. As her parents and siblings walked in they clapped and pumped their fists in the air. They joined in with the praise and worship and I immediately sobbed. The moment was one of the most beautiful moments I've ever been part of. One of the most beautiful things I could have witnessed. The service continued and I continued to be amazed. Often times people will have services for their loved ones that they label "Celebration of Life", but I haven't seen anything that has come near to this experience... EVER. I was in awe at the presence of the Lord, at the enthusiasm, and the love in the room.
After a little bit into the service Ashley's dad got up to talk. He spoke so highly of his daughter and shared how she had been the pioneer of the family. She had been the first to find the Lord and had lead the others to Christ. (AMAZING!) He talked about how much fun she was and spoke without a tear. I was in awe. I couldn't believe how strong they were. Her dad ended his speech by asking everyone to pray for the others involved in the car accident. He reminded those present that he knew where Ashley was, but there were other lives at stake and other lives affected and that they needed just as much prayer as her family did. Again, complete shock. What a great testimony. In the midst of such a huge loss, there was true reason to celebrate. Celebrate that Ashley was finally getting to dance before the Throne as she so loved to do in chuch, (practice sessions!!) celebration of how the Lord used her to spearhead salvation in her family, celebration of the other lives that were touched by Ashley all around the world, literally, (She did a lot of mission work.) And celebration that she is now among the Living... the TRUE LIVING!! Her shell among the dead, but her soul... ALIVE and WELL!!
What am I getting at here? I realized a couple of things. (cliche I realize as often that's the case during death.) 1) I want to live a life that is truly celebrated when I take my last breath. I don't want to have people cry and sulk that I'm gone. I want people to say they learned from me, that I showed love and compassion to them. Not because I want people to say nice things about me, but because without these things I'm really the dead one among the living. (on earth anyway) And who wants that? Life should be experienced, breathed, enveloped, taken in, on every level, and poured back out into others. I pray that when I go I'm truly continuing on in my living. 2) I want my family to truly celebrate my life the way Ashley's did. Again not because I want recognition of some sort, (that would be silly since I wouldn't be there anyway!) but because I want them to be confident in their heart that I am with my Maker. Resting in knowing we'll be reunited.
Trust me when I say, I'm really not trying to be a "Debbie Downer", I just really want to challenge you. How's your walk? Are you among the Living? Perhaps you are. But are you living among the Living? Will you step from this existence to eternity without skipping a beat??
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