Sometimes people talk to me about how hard my job must be. Maybe they will mention occasions such as being there with a family during the loss of a loved one. Those times can be hard - especially when the death is unexpected or it involves the loss of a child. On the other hand, those moments can be very moving, sacred times. I often have the privilege of gathering with a family, not only to mourn the loss of a loved one, but to share memories about the good aspects of that person's life.
Yesterday, we held a memorial service at the church for Max Singleton. While Max was not a member, his wife Joy is, as well as Kim Raines, Max's step-daughter, and her family - Becky, Mackenzie, and Larry. Max visited JCPC often with his family and I enjoyed my encounters with him. But when I met with Max's family to plan the memorial service and talk about his life, I learned so much
I did not know about Max's rich life as a professional musician, expert marksman, songwriter, photographer, fitness enthusiast, and coach. Just recently we lost another of our newer church members, Jan Jubon, and he was someone else who had an amazing range of interests throughout his life.
Sometimes we only get a passing glimpse of a life when we briefly encounter someone, and yet they may have lived an amazing life which we know nothing about. This richness of life reminds me of the words of the Psalms that say:
What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels,And You have crowned him with glory and honor. -Psalm 8:4-5, NKJV
God has made each one of us "a little lower than the angels" and God has "crowned" us "with glory and honor." I invite you to remember all the good that God has created in you, and to treat everyone as someone created in the image of God.
Prayer for Today
Thank you God for the richness of the women and men you have created and placed in our lives. Open our eyes to the glory in every one of your creatures, and help us to honor the glory you have put in each one of us. We pray this in the strong name of the One who shows us your glory and honor most perfectly - Jesus the Christ. Amen.
