Epiphany from a Funeral

Just got back from the funeral of a friend of a friend. I still cried. She sang...shared a eulogy by letter someone else read for her. Absolutely heart wrenching. I wish I had a copy.

This lady was a janitor--cleaning lady? I never knew that.

Never married?

No family at all...except one lone sister left. No children. No cousins. No mother. No father.

An angel.

Everyone's life she touched WAS touched. Inspired. Motivated.

My friend also wrote a eulogy entitled, "The Day I Met Jesus", not knowing it would be read, but I think, hoping so. I hope to get a copy to put here, for I still shutter and shiver thinking about it. And tears come again.

I think, tears of hope...that we can make that kind of difference. No matter what...in spite of "what", because of our "whats".

I wonder, what was her "life purpose"? Assuredly, no grandiose dreams, no plans for splendor or greatness, no plans of her own at all, really. A refined heart. A heart composed and built to love each life she touched. To be gracious. Speak with a laugh. Spread Jesus. Share joy. Care.

To live a life like that. Known, not for greatness, but for excellence: patience, contentedness, unassuming, loving, caring, sharing, enriching. Being "there". Always. A mother to the motherless. Friend to the friendless. Many compared her quick and unexpected death to that of Enoch. "She walked with God, and then, was no more."

You know, I prayed the day she died...so quickly taken away, sayin it was "a sorrowful day".

Today, nothing other than a blessed day. Bright. Sunny. Flowers blooming, and new insight for me.

My friend sang, "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)" by Chris Rice. (Breath-taking). A captivating song, but I never thought of having it sung at a funeral. Thought I'd be raptured myself...I can't believe she made it through so strong. Praise God! It was incredible.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!