Memories

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14 “But I would not have you ignorant brethren concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

After attending the funeral of my eldest sister my wife asked, “Why do things have to die?” There was no need to reply as we knew the answer, so, instead we reminisced in silence knowing that while her smile, her laughter and her presence had all gone, we could seek solace through our memories and look forward to the time when we will meet again.

Acts 10: 35 “…but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.”

My sisters’ eldest son paid tribute to his mother at her funeral. He described her as one having a loving, joyful, generous, and caring disposition who loved to help others, was well liked, and respected all by those who knew her. He was particularly thankful for the godly way that she disciplined he and his brothers. There was a chuckle in his voice when he described her typical reaction to their poor behavior. He explained, her first reaction was to show her disappointment, usually by having a loud verbal exchange. Then, after the anticipated outburst, she would correct their behavior by reminding them of their moral responsibility. Finally, but most importantly, she would pray with them. Her methods appear to have worked!

Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Our parents are the ones who should be credited for my sisters’ parenting skills. It was their honest, genuine, and sincere character as well as their willingness to teach us right from wrong that undoubtedly rubbed off on us. We were not an avid church going family but instead they allowed us to be influenced by our predominant Christian culture. My sister, being the eldest of three children was too often the brains behind the ideas that got us into trouble. She was also our babysitter, our chaperon and to me a mentor. A mentor because her poor behavior led to punishment and her punishment taught me to never mimic her poor behavior.

Hebrews 3: 13 “…but exhort one another daily, while its’ called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

The bible teaches, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14: 12) My sister began her adult life armed only with a basic understanding of Christianity unmindful of the spiritual battle that was competing for her soul. She, like so many of us, tested the waters of moral acceptance. In her humanity, she did things that she was not proud of, experienced things she could not control, and made mistakes that she wished she had not done. Unfortunately, without knowing it, she had been baited. Her enemy was Satan, his weapon was deception, and her weakness was ignorance. Unaltered this lifestyle ultimately led to emotional imprisonment, alienation from God (spiritual death) and the lingering fear of succumbing to Hell’s fury.

1 Thessalonians 5: 8-9 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

One day my sister, wrought with conviction, confided in me about righting some of the wrongs that she had committed. The truth, I explained, is that “…all (of mankind) have sinned, and (continually) come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3: 23) Jesus didn’t die for one failure, He died for all of them and no human effort or good work can restore that which has been broken. If you want to be reconciled with God, do it His way! The bible teaches, “…if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in justification [that is, being made righteous---being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he/she acknowledges and confesses [his/her faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his/her] salvation.” (Romans 10: 9-10) In tears my sister heard the good news gospel and without hesitation gave her heart to Christ.

Farewell my sister, until we meet again.