Last week I attended the funeral of a woman I had never met.
Her name was Sheila, and based on the stories people told, I think I would have liked her. Her family and friends spoke of her loving personality, her brilliant smile, and her refusal to speak badly of anyone. They said that God’s love was evident in everything she did.
I haven’t been to many wakes or funerals – probably a good thing because it means I haven’t known much loss in that sense – so this was still a fairly new experience. The only other one I’ve gone to was over four years ago: a memorial service for a close friend. I remember the kind words spoken about Anne and can easily liken them to the ones I heard about Sheila.
I posed a question to myself: if I were to die tomorrow, would it be easy for my friends and family to say good things about me? Would they be able to speak in full confidence that I loved the best I could, that I strived to live in a Christ-like manner, and that I showed kindness to whoever I met?
It’s a sobering thought that the answer might be “no.”
To change that answer, I need to live intentionally. As if I am here for a purpose rather than just a passing tourist on her way to the next thing.
How will Sarah Michel be remembered?
How will you be remembered?
Do not live every day as if it were your last. Rather, live every day as if it were of the utmost importance.
Because it just might be.
