For such a time as this

For anybody that was unable to be at Ben’s memorial service and would like to view it, here it is.

Over the years I have gone to a number of funerals and memorial services. Each one is as unique as the person being remembered. I remember by maternal grandmother’s funeral service. It was not a happy occasion. She had died unexpectedly. She was not a believer in Jesus. She didn’t even believe in heaven or hell. My grandma had planned out her funeral service. But her husband changed almost all of it and didn’t want to pay for a visitation so the kids came together to do that. Her husband was Catholic in that he would go to mass periodically. So the funeral service was skewed Catholic. There was no hope.

In 2003 my mother-in-law, Libby, unexpectedly died from a stroke and subsequent brain hemorrhage. Her memorial service was very different from my grandmother’s. I remember the pastor talking about the 4 loves of Libby–God and the church, her family, northern WI and teaching. My mother-in-law was a pretty terrific person. I only wish I had had more time to spend with her and for her to spend with all of the grand kids she now has. But despite her death at age 61, there is the hope we have in Jesus that we will see her again. In fact I have no doubt that Ben is with her now as they are in the presence of Jesus waiting for the rest of us to join them.

I can remember watching a funeral on TV of a police officer who had been killed in the line of duty several years ago. It was said that he was a Christian. Yet, there was not one mention in the memorial service of his faith. When my time on earth ends, I want people to talk about my faith. I want to live my life so that there is no way that it could be ignored or not be included as part of my story.

I attended a funeral today for a mighty man of God. He leaves behind a family that loved him deeply and that he loved just as deeply. His story could not be told if you left out his faith. It was said by one of the pastors that spoke that it was Jesus sticking out of him that attracted pastors to our dear friend. What a testimony of his faith and life. May something similar be said about all of us that claim the name of Jesus.