The Funeral of Beatrice Contreras

There is so much going on behind the scenes—things that we either take for granted or don’t even know are happening. Think of those things our government does, just those matters that maintain the infrastructure and keep us safe. Most of us don’t know what’s going on, or worse, think we do. Or in medicine: great strides are being made for our health and well-being. We know nothing about them until it’s time that we require those advancements.

The same is true about God. We tend to think about the divine when we have some major need or tragedy. At such times, we may pray or read the Bible or even go to church. It was that way after 9/11; church attendance swelled back then—for about three weeks. Then it went right back to normal.

But God never forgets us. He goes on working for us, whether we pay attention or not, whether we understand or not, whether we care or not. If it were not so, would he have told us he goes to prepare a place for us?

Let us pray. Almighty God; source of all mercy and giver of comfort: deal graciously, we pray, with those who mourn, that casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as

Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his,

In her baptism, Bea was clothed with Christ. In the day of Christ's coming, she will be clothed with glory. Amen.

we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

In his baptism, Dave was clothed with Christ. In the day of Christ's

coming, he shall be clothed with glory.

We are gathered here to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, and to remember before God the blessed life of Beatrice Anne Contreras: to give thanks for her and to comfort one another in our grief.

In Bea’s Bible is a poem that meant something to her. She kept it there, a little treasure known just to her, but about to be known to us all. We aren’t sure who wrote the poem, but I imagine it will be familiar to most of you. I will read it slowly...

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord,

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

“Footprints in the Sand,” this poem that Bea liked, tells part of the story about how God is at work in our lives, even when we don’t know it. He carries us when we think he is nowhere to be found. He weeps in our sadnesses, and grieves in our losses, even when have no sense of him being present.

That is what Bea believes; it is what she would have you believe. For in that belief of a caring and loving God, she found peace when she needed it most. She would have you share her peace of God’s presence today and in the days ahead.

God has always been present with his people, even making his dwelling with us. He draws alongside us, sometimes carrying us, at other times allowing us to sprint ahead or lag behind, but always being near to those who love him. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” ().

This dwelling of “God with us,” or Emmanuel, is how he finally destroys death forever—or as Bea’s Bible states it, how God provides an eternal dwelling with himself. And in being with God here is no more death, no mourning, no tears, no pain. This is the blessed life, the new life that Bea enjoys, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

But what about us? What about we who remain here on this side of eternity? Well, we might take a clue from Bea. How did you meet here? Did a beautiful creature burst happily into your life one day? Did she treat you with a love and joy that you did not deserve, having only just met her? That is a godly act; do likewise in her memory.

Were you so honored as to have her prepare some of her gourmet food with you, or even a whole meal? That is also a godly act, something that God has first done for us, preparing a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Do the same for others, remembering Bea—and God who was at work in her.

Did she change your life, just by being in it? This too is an action of the Almighty, who changes your life just by being in it. You also, like Bea, can change someone’s life for the better, just by being in it—sharing food, laughter, and the joy of living.

Jeff says about Bea, “To know her is to love her.” I imagine you share that sentiment about her. May Bea’s effect on your life cause you to love others so much that they might one day say of you, that to know you is to love you. Nothing could make Bea happier.