This blog originally posted Friday, March 16, 2007
Current mood: thoughtful Category: Life
I attended a funeral this week. Not my first. Definitely not my last (I'm guaranteed at least one more).
Something funny - I looked around the sanctuary and noted the people. We had the usual: men and women, young and old, different skin colors. But, more notable, the deeper you looked, you saw Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Agnostic, Believers in God and those that just can't be bothered by Him. There were gay and straight, pierced and tattooed, people who had feuds with others who were there, people who haven't spoken in years because they haven't made time, drinkers and smokers and those who abstain, partiers and clean-livers, those full of bitterness and those full of joy, suits and shorts, white collar and blue, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren and a more. No one had a problem with someone else's presence. Beliefs and lifestyles weren't held against each other. Past wrongs were forgotten. Hearts were softened, walls were broken down.
All of these people were brought together, united in grief and the desire for hope. I think this is how it is supposed to be, how God wants it; people with soft hearts, humble minds, and open arms. This rich tapestry that should be present all the time exists only for a fleeting moment of tears and hugs and then we are back to our lives, trying to forget the looming presense of mortality. I have had the chance to attend a lot of funerals. I've been to two suicides, deaths from old age, sudden death and the end to a long-suffering illness. I've seen non-believers and believers both try to cope. I've been to a Mormon funeral and a Muslim funeral (that's a whole story in itself). It's always the same.
Why is it that it take such a drastic measure to make us realize (if only briefly) that all of the stuff that we busy our lives with, all of the things we take personally, all of the selfishness that we hold dear is really just not that important. Love conquers all, or so they say, but it sure doesn't seem to in our everyday existence. The saddest thing is that by the time we start work next week, most of us will be back to our old ways.
In professional ministry, I am asked the question, 'How can God allow pain,and suffering in this world?' The only answer that I have is that it is the only way He can get our attention.
What relationship do you need to mend before it is too late? How do you need to be humble to let someone else in. What point of pride do you need to let go? Who do you need to call?
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