have you heard of the movie, "the wedding singer?" well, i guess
i am the 'funeral singer.' i know, pretty heady stuff. yesterday i
sang at the funeral of an 87 year old lady i have never met. her
photograph was of much younger days, so i still don't even know
what she looked like, but she has enhanced my life.
to hear others speak of her fervency to help those less fortunate
and of her devotion to her Maker encouraged me to press on and
continue my race.
my friend, annie, has a special prayer for seriously ill friends and
family. "Lord, please let them live out the fullness of their days
and not allow one day to be cut short."
that always reminds me of the passage from psalm 91:14-16.
" 'because he loves Me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name.
he will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
with long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.' "
the sweet 87 year old lady certainly lived out the fullness of
her days, and that is now a renewed goal of mine.
love,
lea
ps. only one more day to vote for sunday lane!
33 comments:
Such a beautiful post, Lea. And a lovely tribute to your friend.
xoxo
Jane
Your comments on my blog are so sweet. I've been enjoying your blog as well.
My son has been to Guatemala every summer except one since 5th grade - with Dad, of course. Your daughter will be blessed beyond measure and learn that God doesn't wait until we're grown to use us in his Kingdom work. I can't wait to hear about her endeavors. The hard part can sometimes be to be missionaries to our friends who don't know they are in need. Always a challenge before us, huh.
Blessings,
Dawn
I love Annie's prayer. So often, we are blinded by this life, and just ask God to heal, or a more general request for His will to be done, all the while hoping it's the same as our will - but I love the wording of asking for God to provide "the fullness of days and not allow one day to be cut short."
Thanks for sharing that.
Margaret
I wish I could have been there to hear you sing as you honored a lady who lived with honor and grace.
Beautiful tribute!
xoRebecca
Blessings and prayers,
andrea
Thanks Lea for the reminder of how we need to finish our days. God's word is always a comfort and your tribute to that lovely lady is so sweet.
My prayer still remains that since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking toward Jesus...
As Churchill said, Never, never, never, give up.
Thanks Lea
That has been one of my favorite portion of verses for a long time. I clung to these when in the midst of a great depression and they helped me get through.
I like Annie's prayer "to the fullness of their days". That's a good way to think about it and very comforting for a grieving family when prayed over them.
Thank you for sharing that - and what an honor that you got to sing at this lovely woman's funeral!
I didn't know how to get in touch with you other than your blog. But I shared a comment in response to your comment on Heart Choices.
And I so appreciate what you wrote. Yes, it's all about grace and love. And I thank you for maybe revealing something that's been stirring in my heart lately. I think I've been disappointed in a few who do seem to be judging in my pain. I do not want any bitter root to be there, so thanks.
Regarding this post, I've attended many funerals. Living out the fullness of our days ... how true. How wonderful that you can sing for events like this. I'm sure it's comforting to their loved ones.
Again, thank you for your thoughts that are met with an open heart.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
debbie,
we've all been there! judgment from
others is a source of terrible pain.
will be praying for you.
Hi Lea,
How you doing? Its a wonderful post .. as you always so easily penned down ..
your love for the Humans , nature and all other living being . around .you or far away .. is so ..heart touching ...I think god did have infuse you with his aura of spontaneity ..so simple yet so vivid...
And don't worry "Sunday Lane" will make it ..just have ur faith intact ..rest ..will follow ..
...SONG has already won..
And you mentioned that your son was here in INDIA ..for 10 weeks for his studies ..what he was pursuing that time ..n where in INDIA..
And his hight is something 6'7 Oh that really giant looking @ myself ( 5'8)..do he plays some sports or not ..he definitely fit for football ..n other games .
Its always a special feel reading your blog ...have that emotional Connect.
Thanks ..for being so ..sweet..
the bird Pic really symbolizes that :)
take care ..have a gr8 time ..
Have fun :)
ENJOY..
with Love
Vivek
What a timely post for me to read today. I am praying that prayer from now on for my Mom. Her days are not full of good things. They
are just days to get through. It is so painful to watch someone who is alive, but not really living.
For myself, I am praying for all of those wonderful fruits of the Spirit. Some days they are hard to come by...
Thank you for this beautiful post. My goal is to live in such a way that that is one thing my loved ones will say about me. It is ONLY by God's Grace!
Joyce
Precious, pretty post, Lea.
Sending some Summer sprinkles your way for a sweet day! xx
A great reminder to live life! HHL
I'm getting ready to leave town for a little while, but I got in one more vote for Sunday Lane!! :)
I would love to have heard you sing at that funeral. Somehow I know your voice is beautiful. And I love the scripture you shared here.
Hugs!
Sonja
you are so funny...at least someone is asking you to sing for something important. most of us are just shower singers :) i hope sunday wins!!
What a sweet thing to do...I am sure you were a blessing to her family and friends.
Your messages always inspire me my friend. xoxoo
It sounds like this precious woman lived a life well spent. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.:)
PS Yeah Sunday Lane!!!
A sweet reminder for all of us to reach out and share what the Lord has blessed us with...a life that in all that we do, say, think...that it is a reflection of His mercies and grace.
Congratulations to your daughter! :o) That is soo exciting :o)
I would love to hear your voice as well!
Blessings & Aloha!
Dear Lea, Thank you for the encouraging and thoughtful message. And, thank you for your prayers for each one of us. Such a blessing!
Joyce
Hello Lea ... Thank you so much for visiting my Little Birds blog. It's such an honor when someone gives me a few moments of their day. I loved your summery words.
This post is so moving. My best friend of the past 25 years was diagnosed with ALS about a year ago and is now confined to a wheelchair and has no use of her legs. I help with her caregiving. She is such a beautiful believer in Jesus and inspires me every day with her sweet spirit and her leaning upon Him. Those who are nearing the end of their lives have so much to teach us.
Hugs to you .....
Thank you, Lea, for your words on my blog and this special post. My Mom is 88 and this prayer and scripture reminds me that I am lucky to still have her with me.
Good luck to Sunday ..she is already a winner but I'll go and vote again.
encouragement abounds here in your space ...I am so thankful for that today ~elk
A beautiful reminder...and a beautiful post.
It is always so good to hear from you on my blog! I'm glad you get a chance to read it! I hope to see you while I am home for the next 11 days! I need to get in touch with Sunday!
Love you and hope to see you soon!
Thank you for sharing such touching moments. I too love Annie's prayer.
I like that picture of Sunday! I was wondering what made you decide to name her Sunday Lane?? Is that her first middle or first only?? If you could, can you reply through your blog??? Thanks!
How sweet.
hi emily,
we named her 'sunday lane' before she
was even born, because we just thought
it was pretty.
how was your flying expedition?
love,
lea
A fitting tribute! Delighted to stop by today. I hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. THis looks like a nice place to slip off my shoes and soak in serious goodness.
Splashin,
Sara
Psalm 91 is my daughter's favorite. When she had typhoid fever at the age of 18 while on a mission trip in India, the Lord reminded me of this passage and it truly did give me hope.
I love Annie's prayer ... my daughter's days were not cut short ... it seemed they might be at the time. His Word strengthened and sustained us with peace.
Thank you.
Cheri
Sweet words for a lovely-sounding lady. I think it's wonderful that you sang. It's a precious gift to be able to share in that way.
I like the idea of your ministry as a funeral singer. The passing of a loved on is such a precious time for family and friends. Your voice can be a soothing balm in their time of sadness.
Music at a funeral can be so comforting ... you're lucky to be able to share your gift in that way and give peace and comfort to the mourners.
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