Evelyn

'We all know that God loves us unconditionally. The way my mom loved me is the closest representation of that that I'll ever know on this earth...'

I just got back from a funeral. Those words are a paraphrase of the brief but full eulogy delivered by a Son who's mother passed away last week. He couldn't go on; nor did he need to. Other's eulogized about the range of qualities of this woman; her love of God, her devotion to her family, and the community she's part of, her joy in living. He simply spoke of the love that she had and gave him. I doubt there was a dry eye in the room.

There was laughter too though. It was a time to say good-bye but also a time to celebrate her life. A christian funeral is like that. She lived a full life, 68 years, but she lived in the certain hope of that which is beyond this life. She is with her savior now, with no physical pain or weakness, no special diet she needs to watch. She's with Jesus, singing her favorite hymns and songs in a strong voice, and probably learning some new ones.

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own,
But belong -

body and soul,
in life and in death -

to my faithfull Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven:
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
The Heidelberg Catechism - Q&A #1