Mary Louise (Kable) Smith Funeral

PRELUDE- Roomful of Roses

A WORD OF WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY

Dearly beloved; we are gathered here today to pay tribute to our deceased loved one and friend, Mary Smith.

I like to think of this as more as a homecoming and a celebration of life.

I did get the opportunity to talk with Mary and offer her encouragment and pray with her.

I was also afforded the honor to meet with some of her family on Sunday.

Susan, Kevin and Ar-ri-etti and they shared some memories and the wonderful life Mary lived.

They expressed that Mary was an Art music teacher,

She recieved her art k-12 certificate from Wright state university

& also graduated from Ft. Wayne Bible College with a degree in Music Education.

Mary loved crafts, she use to have a ceramic shop in the basement of her home.

Mary loved camping out and just being out in nature. Mary volunteered as the activity director at many campgrounds including Bearcreek Farms.

she also loved to travel and she had visited all fifty states.

Susan shared with me a funny story about how after Mary got Covid, she had a strange side effect. As she would start talking in her sleep, and sometimes would wake herself up talking.

Let me pray for us for such a time like this.

INVOCATION(OPENING PRAYER)

SCRIPTURE READING FROM JOHN 14:1-3

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

EULOGY- TERRY SMITH

WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE

SONG- WHY ME (KRIS KRISTOFFERSON)

MESSAGE ON PSALM 23

In 1937 Walt Disney released the first full-length animated movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Producing an animated movie was a huge task.

Disney artists drew over one million pictures. Each picture flashed onto the screen for a mere one-twenty-fourth of a second. As we watch the movie run at regular speed, it seems so simple.

We have no idea all that goes into it. Our lives are like that movie.

God puts infinite thought, skill, and careful attention into every detail.

Yet as our lives run at “regular speed,” we have no idea how much God’s providence fills every single second.

There may be times though when life seems to be spiraling out of control,when death, heartache, or trials hit.

We may wonder where is God in the midst of it all?

I think that’s a question that is asked by all generations. Its during these times that we really lament and pour our hearts out to God.

We see in Psalm 23 how king David makes a declaration of who God is in the midst of it all.

Let’s read it...

1 The LORD is amy shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me kin the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Today I want to go over 5 things that we don’t lack when the Lord is our Shepherd!

The first is...

We Shall not lack direction

v4a.- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Some modern translations say it’s “a valley dark as death,” The word itself does not necessarily mean death; but by definition a dark ravine is a dangerous place

The valley of the shadow of death conjures thoughts of a dangerous situation where a sheep's life is in jeopardy unless the shepherd is alert and attentive.

the reason the sheep is going through the valley is because the shepherd led him there.

The connection between vs. 3 and 4 confirm this: The path through the valley is also one of the paths of righteousness in which God leads.

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me . . . "

But why would a good shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep lead a lamb into a valley filled with danger and death threats?

There's only one possible answer: "To get them to a better place!"

Think about Jesus, when he taught the disciples to pray the “Lords prayer”-lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil

Mary suffered and as she did, She showed strength, courage, grit, and most of all faith when her body was failing her.

In the valley of the shadow of death she pressed on. What a picture of Jesus that is.

While she was on this dangerous path in this world that is filled with evil, she was filled with hope.

Not in this world but, in the world to come. It was all because she knew she was going to a better place.

secondly...

We Shall not lack protection

v4b.-I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

It is important to note that “the valley of the shadow of death” is as much God’s right path for us as the “green pastures” which lie beside “quiet waters.”

That is, the Christian life is not always easy or, as we say, a mountain-top experience. God gives us valleys too.

It is in the valleys with their trials and dangers that we develop character.

Now Sheep are one of the dumbest creatures. They will lead themselves to just walk over a cliff unless directed otherwise by the Shepherd and His staff.

Shepherds also don’t allow sheep to drink from running water because while sheep are bending down to drink they have the risk of falling in and getting hurt.

Instead Shepherds would draw water from wells.

This reminds me of the story about the Samaritan woman at the well.

Our good Shepherd. Jesus, tells a samaritan woman “whoever drinks of the water I give them, will never be thirsty again!”

He provides for us everlasting life where we can be full and satisfied!

Yet when we experience the valley and it’s difficulties there is this hesitancy as we face the unknown. The problem is fear.

What is the answer to it? Clearly, the answer is the shepherd’s close presence, for he is the only one who can protect the sheep and calm our anxieties.

We are never so aware of the presence of God as when we pass through life’s valleys.

As long as we are in Christ, then don’t have to fear. His perfect love cast out all fear!

He has not given us a spirit of fear but, of Power, Love, and a sound mind!

Fear is a liar but the answer is the voice of truth!

Thirdly...

We shall not lack provision

v5.-You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

verse 5 states that God prepares a table for David in the presence of his enemies. This is a reference to a meal or a feast.

Now David is called by God and anointed by God so he is under God’s protection and care.

So even in the prescence of his enemies he had nothing to be afraid of.

Now it was custom and an act of hospitality that when a guest would come that you would anoint their head with oil and they were also to fill the guests cup up to the very brim or top as a expression of their generosity.

Now Sheep are particularly prone to flies landing on their noses.

These flies travel up the sheep’s nose and lay eggs which turn into worms that can burrow into the animal’s brain.

Then the sheep will bang their heads, trying to get rid of the irritation.

They can die from this. So, each day the shepherd pours oil on the sheep’s nose, and the flies slide out, instead of flying in.

We have a Good Shepherd, and He promises if we come to Him every day, He will anoint our head with oil.

He will provide us with everything we need. God is a provider.

He will provide peace when there is worry.

He will provide hope in the midst of hopelessness.

He will provide courage when we are fearful.

He will provide an abiding prescence when we feel all alone.

also...

We shall not lack God’s goodness and mercy all the days of our life

v6a.-Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life

As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I need to be also trusting that the goodness and mercy of God are following our every step.

We need to be confident and comforted, believing that every day of our lives, these two friends of David called goodness and mercy are with us for every step of life’s journey.

God is still good when are circumstances are not. God is still merciful even when we feel like we can’t take the pain any longer. We just don’t see the whole picture like God does.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.

lastly...

We shall not lack an eternal dwelling with God

v6b.- I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

When our time in this earthly tent is complete, we “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

We will see David, the psalmist dwelling there. Our family in the Lord will be there, too. Best of all, we will see Christ face to face.

He will wipe away every tear, and we will worship Him forever. One day there will be no more pain, no more suffering, and no more death. What a glorious day that will be.

HYMN- IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

BENEDICTION(CLOSING PRAYER)

RECESSIONAL- TIME FOR ME TO COME HOME