Being Remembered

Randy & I attended the memorial service for Mary Link this afternoon. What a fantastic experience. Yes, I know that probably sounds very odd to say about a memorial service, but it's true of this one. It was a celebration of Mary's life and that's what she wanted. She helped plan this service because she knew that she was dying and wanted to be sure that above all else, Jesus was the focus of it all. Many people spoke and shared stories of Mary's influence on them, but each person reiterated that it was Mary's desire that Jesus be prominent in those stories. Listening to her two sons and husband speak of her with such loving words and emotion, I felt I was allowed an intimate glimpse into their lives as a family.

As I sat there, I had to ask myself how I will be remembered by my kids, my family, and my friends. Will they be able to say that Jesus came first in my life? Will my life reflect that to those who don't know me as well? Will my kids be able to say that they knew they were loved by me unconditionally? Will Randy know how much I have loved him? Will my friends know they were important to me? I think I know the answers to some of those questions, but to others, I'm not so sure. I walked out of that auditorium thinking I have a lot of work to do.

Being remembered. . . it's something all of us want. To be remembered with good thoughts, smiles, and stories. To know that we mattered. To know that a part of us will live on in some way – children, grandchildren, part of a ministry, or just that our lives touched another's in a way that made a difference. I know that's what I want.

Until the next time . . .