A year ago I had the privilege of sharing a few thoughts with you here and I wrote regarding what message or words I would leave with you at the very end of life. I mentioned how I ask folks, when I’m having those end of life conversations with them, what they would like to say to those who might gather in their honor.
I’ve gotten some very interesting answers, usually just a few words or sentences. Recently however, I shared with a gathering of people at a memorial service not just an idea or a thought but an entire sermon, a funeral meditation, that had been written in advance by the person we were there to honor.
Some of you will remember Nelda Westerlind. She was the “Daffodil Lady,” in the early days of our residence in Grand Marais. Each spring she would canvass the county selling daffodil bunches for the American Cancer Society.
Others will remember her as a square dancer, or as an aunt, or as the little old lady tossing hay bales in the fields out along County Road 7. I fondly remember Nelda as my longtime secretary and the person least likely to accept change and most likely to affirm it once she realized the benefits of change.
Nelda passed away June 4, 2018, despite the assurance of a local physician that that day would not be THE day. Nelda was really never one to let other people stop her when she set her mind to something.
She had informed me that morning that she was 88 years old. It was a beautiful day, she was tired, she was going home, and I was neither to interfere nor allow anyone else to interfere (as if any of us could!).
Nelda had kept me posted for more than a decade about her interests regarding her funeral service. She had all the songs listed and had supplied all the sheet music for the songs (to make sure I got the right ones). She had given me the order of service and suggestions for who should do what. Those kinds of suggestions and details are not unusual for me to gather from folks. I have files for lots of people where I keep those details and suggestions handy for the day we will need them.
What was unusual was Nelda’s answer to my question: What would you say, if you had one last opportunity to speak to your family and friends and neighbors? I expected a few thoughts. She said, at the time I asked, “I’ll get back to you on that.”
A few days later she came into my office and handed me the entire funeral sermon she wanted me to preach, right down to writing out each of the Bible verses I was to use.
I’d like to share with you, today, the words Nelda shared with her loved ones on June 19, 2018:
It’s Scripture time and I can’t resist “talking” one last time. Most funerals read the scriptures that talk about my salvation but if you know me you know that I’m in heaven, not because I deserve it but because I’ve claimed God’s promises, so I want to talk to each of you about where you will spend eternity. Will you be joining me in heaven?
Listen close to these verses: (At this point there is a note telling me exactly which verses to read and in what order. Space does not allow me to duplicate them here but you can find them in the Bible book of Romans in this order: 3:10, 23; 6:23, 5:8; 10:13, 10:9.)
Now you can never say you haven’t heard the complete reason and way of salvation. When you face God on judgment day you will be guilty because of your refusal or innocent because of your relationship with Jesus.
Please don’t put off this decision to have a personal relationship with your Savior, for two reasons: 1) You have no guarantee that you will live even to leave the church today and 2) If you delay you will miss the wonder of a relationship that gives you peace, joy, and assurance that God is with you.
Be aware, though, that this is not a one-shot deal to get you into heaven. You need to read about and listen to God’s guiding from the Bible day to day to receive all the benefits of a relationship with Jesus.
[A 2007 devotional article written by a local former pastor] put it clearly, “To reject God’s love and His Son is to, in a sense, slap God’s face and substitute our works for His sacrifice. What slippery ground that is to stand on while facing Him.”
If you already have a relationship I hope this is a reminder and if you don’t please make a decision NOW so I will see you here!
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. Pastor Dale McIntire has served as pastor of the Cornerstone Community Church in Grand Marais since April of 1995.
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