Tribute
The funeral for Martha Miller, my ninety-eight year-old grandmother, was last weekend in Illinois. My grandmother was highly influential in my life and our relationship was quite close. She modeled a life of faith in Christ exceptionally well and her unwavering trust in Jesus was truly an inspiration to those around her. Since I was unable to attend the funeral, I wrote a brief tribute to my grandma in the bulletin. Here is what I wrote:
During one of my last visits with my grandmother, I spent time reading from the Scriptures, an activity I knew my grandmother cherished. She savored the Word of God, and the Word served her well in return. She had truly tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8); her main diet was feasting on God’s abiding presence and drawing strength from His Spirit. The love of Jesus penetrated deep into her soul, transforming her character and filling her with an unmistakable presence of peace, contentment, and joy that transcended the inevitable struggles of life. Although I am unable to be present for the funeral service, I have the confidence of knowing that my grandmother and I will, in time, be reunited in the fullness of God’s presence, and this because of mutual faith in a Savior who has conquered death.
When a saint dies, there is room for celebration, for the legacy left behind mixes a good dose of joy into the sorrow. There is still sadness and grief, to be sure, but this mourning is cloaked in the knowledge and power of the resurrection of Christ. Death does not have the final word; the last sentence belongs to Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
The death of those we love forces us to evaluate the fleeting nature of life and ponder the power of legacy. What are we doing with the time we have? What imprint will we be leaving behind?
I’m thankful to God for a grandmother who modeled life in Christ well. Her legacy is far-reaching. May we all be inspired to live in such a way.