While Sarah and I celebrate the coming of a new life into this world I was presiding over the celebration of a life lived well.  Sunday we got word that one of the long-time members of Fairview passed away.  I had only met her once, and I remember her being a sweet lady, and as I learned about her life and loves from the family I wish I had known her more.   It is a strange feeling to preside over the funeral of someone you did not know very well. You know they deserve much more than the simple words you have formulated as a 'funeral sermon'.  I cannot comprehend the value of one human life, and any attempt of mine to summarize a person's life in a 5-10 minute block of time seems like an endnote to one of the greatest stories ever written.  

Yet, I know that the celebration is not only of her life, but the victory Christ has won over death.  "Oh Death, where is your victory, Death where is your Sting?!?.. Thanks be to God who has given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Cor 15).  And knowing that Christ died for everyone of us, we know all the more of the value of human life.  And so take this as a eulogy for the Willie Nelson singing, NASCAR watching, flower giving, quilt making lover of Jesus: 

She loved to give and she loved her family.  Her life was a life lived in the victory only Christ can give. She was a dedicated wife and mother and never let a stranger or in-law feel unwelcome.  And when we live our lives between the trees let us look to the generosity and peace shining in such souls so that we press onward home to the high calling to which Christ has called us.  To be selfless in a selfish world, to be peace amongst violence.  

Posted In: life church

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