What Memorial are You Leaving?

Frequently when people die and the obituary is written about them, we discover something of their parting words or what they want others to remember about them. At least, in this part of the country (the south of the nation, called the “Bible Belt”), we read a few well-chosen words about how they would like to be remembered or perhaps what they hope to leave as a memorial of their life.

Since I haven’t traveled or lived in very many places for many years, I don’t know what it is like where you live. However, at least here, you will find the opening paragraph of their obituary notice to be instructive.  Let’s notice a few of these, with appropriate comments.

An 88 year old man writes (actually it may have been those whom he left behind): “….. left this world to be with Jesus Christ, is Lord and Savior.” Wouldn’t you like that to be your parting thoughts?

A 94 year old woman “went to be with our Lord.” Once again, this is a thought that would surely be comforting.

A woman of about 86 years was “a good and faithful servant whose work on this Earth ended….” Is this what you would like to have at the time of your death?

A 90 year old man “received his final promotion to the Kingdom of Heaven.” Whether we might agree or disagree with his theology as reflected in his obituary, we can see where his thoughts lie.

A 72 year old man “went to his heavenly home.”

Another man (unknown age) “slipped away to be with the Heavenly Father.”

A further woman (unknown age) “fell asleep in Christ.”

A 60 year old man “is at peace with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

A woman (unknown age) “joined our Lord.”

A 87 year old man “went to be with the Lord.”

An 8 months girl “was carried to Heaven.”

A 74 year old woman “answered the Savior’s call and peacefully entered into eternal rest.”

An 87 year old woman “exchanged Life for eternity.”

A husband and wife died one day apart (age unknown) and “transitioned from time into eternity.”

A man (unknown age) “transitioned from time into eternity.”

A 40 year old woman “left the cares of this world.”

A woman (unknown age) “placed her sword in the sand of time.”

An 83 year old man “exited this life.”

A woman (unknown age) “transitioned into eternal life.”

A 72 year old man “went to be with Jesus.”

A woman (unknown age) “went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

A 90 year old man (went to be with the Lord.”

A 73 year old woman “went home to her victory in Jesus.”

A 87 year old man “is free of his wheelchair and he is dancing in heaven with many of his friends who passed before him.”

A 93 year old “fell asleep in the Lord peacefully.”

A 64 year old man “went to be with the Lord.”

A 90 year old woman “went home to be with her Lord.”

A man (unknown age) with this comment: “. . . prayer of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” was answered.”

A 75 year old woman “went to be with our Lord.”

A 76 year old woman “went to be with her Heavenly Father.”

A 53 year old woman “left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior in heaven.”

A 28 year old woman “gained her heavenly wings.”

We might make a few comments regarding these memorial statements found in the newspaper obituaries.

First, some of these people didn’t know the exact time of their departure. This is a warning to us for, as James warns us, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow” (James 4:14a). Are we ready right now to meet the Lord?

Second, most of these people lived a full life and most of those years were part of their earlier ones. They went from day to day and from year to year without a keen realization of life’s brevity and the fact that they were to finish the course and meet God. Do we bear this in mind as we live our years?

Third, most of the people and obituaries we’ve chosen seem to have some interest in God and His will and the fact that they will meet Him one day. But if we were to read further, they belonged to all sorts of religious organizations and churches, many of which were apostate and this would have surely grieved and angered God! Are we in a Biblical fellowship?

Fourth, many or most of these people who died were involved in all sorts of worldly activities and relationships. Although they wanted to be known as one who served God, their lives betrayed a worldly attachment that refused to be “unstained by the world” (James 1:27b).

Fifth, although many of these statements come from people who have lived a long life, a few of them come from younger ones. In fact, we’ve noticed some people who died at 7 or 10 or 20 or 28. Regardless of how old we are, we must come to the end of our life. Are we prepared?

Sixth, even though the older of these people are in their 90s, let’s remember that eternity will have just begun. Eternity goes on and on and on and on. Let’s not waste our present transitory life in light of the eternal future! Let’s not waste our earthly years in light of the unending future that awaits us!

I suppose that much, much more could be said but we see from these final statements and their hope (whether real or imagined) that now is the time to prepare. People may come down with dreadful diseases or conditions that make it difficult or impossible to think, reason, and plan. Now is the time to get right with God and prepare for the eternal future! We may not have a better time in all of our life!

–Richard Hollerman