Well Done

Scripture

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

I. Introduction:

A. Meeting Howard

Tree by the fruit it bears

Cynthias fruit speaks for itself

Traveling all over the state to deliver comfort and communion

Cynthia lived a life of love.

II. The Dash:

On every tombstone the and every obituary there tends to be a universal piece of information. It is often written as born or died or Sunset and sunrise.

Often times those two numbers are listed because they seem to be the most important to us. The time that someone enters time and then steps into eternity.

But I would submit to you that that the most important item is not the numbers… But the dash in between. What did you do with time you were given? Every moment is a gift!

It’s what we do with the dash really matters.

How hard we love

How freely quickly we forgive

How freely we laugh

And if we live the dash well, we will not fear the sunset. Because we gave it everything we had.

Maximized the moments:

Cynthia maximized her moments

She loved Hard

She gave Hard

She lived a robust life.

III. Motion is lotion:

She lived a life we could only hope to live filled with highs… and lows… successes… and setbacks… but yet she still lived!

I mentioned yesterday when I asked how she got around so well, she would reply “motion is lotion”. When I took a deeper look into the wisdom of that statement I saw something powerful.

It wasn’t that she didn’t feel the pains of aging. But you’ve got to learn to keep moving.

It wasn’t that she was not familiar with cancer diagnosis and treatment. But you’ve got to learn to keep moving.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know the pain of loss, friends, relatives even recently a husband and a son….. but she kept it moving. Sitting next to her on a pew asking how she was doing after brother Archie passed, and her reply every week “I miss him soooo much!”

Sitting next to her after Howie passed and asking her “How you doing?” You know I really miss Howard!” Cynthia do you need anything?

“No … Bruce, he good boy! He takes care of me! I’ve got really good children ya know?”

Having the boldness to live in a bi-racial relationship in a world at the time that did not want to accept tit’s reality and beauty …… But she kept it moving . And a beautiful family because of it sits here today.

And what Cynthia taught me in her living is a principle we can all take with us today:

Life hits hard… But you hit harder!! You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Family … This is hard.. But you hit harder. Sis Cynthia has proven you can make it through.

IV. Conclusion Well Done:

She lived a good life! She loved her God, Her family and everyone that came her way! So she can say like Paul:

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Cynthia.. Well done!

Matthew 25:21 NKJV

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Well Done!