My Funeral

Have you ever thought about what your funeral will one day look like?  A dear friend of mine lost her husband last year and I watched as she planned each song, each bible verse, and each detail of his service.  She also took great care in purchasing his grave marker. 

It makes me think- what will my funeral be like?  What will people say about me when I'm gone?  What will my grave marker say? How do I want people to remember me?

As I think of all the things I would want to be known for, one thing comes to mind- LOVE. 

God has been teaching me so much this past year about His love.  It's so vast, so wide, so deep- I have so much to learn and I have only just begun to touch the hem of what God's love is, but that's what I want to be know for... Love. 

I want people to say, Lorie oozed God's love everyday. And those who know me well will agree that I have a LONG way to go! It's a high calling, but it's what I'm striving for.  When I focus on how much I love God, I fall short everytime.  But when I focus on how much He loves me... well, that makes me overflow with peace and joy.  I can't help but ooze love on other people. 

And I want it to start in my own home.  If I can't love right here in my very own home, even when it's hard, then I'm just a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal when I try to love others.

So there you have it.  What do I want people to say at my funeral?  What do I want to be written on my grave marker?  Not my great accomplishments.  Not my good deeds or my past gains.  But instead I want to be known for being radiant with God's Love.  Love for my husband. Love for my children.  Love for my friends.  Love for the poor.  Love for the needy.  Love for the hopeless.  Love for the orphan. Love for the widow.  Love for the oppressed.  Love for the hungry.  Love for the hurting. Love for the forgotten.  And even love for the stranger. 

Love is my highest calling.  Even if I live a "full" life of success, power and wealth, what have I gained if I don't have God's love?  To me, life is nothing without it. 

God, make me radiant with your love today and everyday.