Prepared Through Service

Family Pride

Last names matter, they are a representation of who we are and where we come from. Any time a matriarchal figure or patriarchal figure such as we are experiencing today is gone from us it is a hit to our last name. Nonetheless through the memories that we have and the stories we tell, it brings comfort to our heart and joy to our spirit.

The beautiful thing about faith is precious memories that triggers another: as Paul states a rich faith handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice and now to you!

Remember the example of love that is given to us that have gone before us because that is what keeps a family going.

It’s interesting, I could probably ask every person in this room what their definition of love is and many people would give a fairly similar answer, if I asked what family means to you the same variation of answer would probably exist. It’s interesting, that the barometer for family is not a last name. The barometer for family is love.

Especially if we consider ourselves to be followers of Jesus or disciples of Christ. John 13:35, Jesus states “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples”.

What is going to get you through the tough moments and the sleepless nights and the lonely days is love.

Never forget the example set before you! Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:1 for us to imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. The beautiful thing about being blessed with a parent that loves the Lord is that faith becomes a tool of transcendence rather than just an example. The faith our parent possess then becomes the faith that we pass along to our families.

Love sustains us when trials get heavy. Peace and Joy are found during times of grief when I lean on the right source of power rather than my own understanding. When my heart becomes weary and I become too tired to speak, and too angry to smile remember what God has done for us in that very moment.

What we need in this moment is comfort, praise God that He serves as a comfort even in the most desolate situations, even in the most tear filled situations! God’s power has comfort attached to it. God’s power has forgiveness attached to it, God’s power has hope attached to it, God’s power has love attached to it. God’s power has eternity attached to it!

The service that celebrates the life is a beautiful ceremony because it is organized and put together to honor someone who is important to us for many various reasons. Our memories begin to overflow when we think about the blessed times with those who have cross the threshold of life unto eternity. I also find it peculiar when those who have passed have a similar list of hobbies as my grandfather, it brings about a sense of connectivity, even if I haven’t spend much time with the bereaved. The greatest way we can honor those who passed down a legacy of godly attributes to us is to honor them by passing them down to others.

One of the scriptures my mother quoted many of days during my childhood, especially when me and my brothers would misbehave, was Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.

Typically we align that text with children in effort to support our directives as adults but the interesting thing is we never stop honoring our parents. We honor them with the way we treat each other, we honor them with the way we love one another, we honor them with our patience, we honor them with our kindness, we honor them with our longsuffering! These characteristics are traits that first belong to God but can be exuded by us and passed down for generations to come.

“Charles Kettering once said, ‘Every father should remember one day his child will follow his example, not his advice.' I don’t know if my dad knew that quote, but it was certainly the way he lived his life.

Granted I’m not sure if this is something Bro. Brown ever said but based on the way his family has embraced my family since being here in Columbus, I can imagine this is the way He lived his life! Let’s honor him by honoring God through our words and actions today! It’s a blessing for Brother Brown to live as long as he did because that leaves the family with enough memories for a lifetime!

I leave you with this, Paul the Galatian writer says “serve one another humbly in love”. Let’s let love take over today!