Sailing To A New Harbor / Funeral (Short Homily)

On behalf of ______, ... _______, ... _______ and the whole extended _______ family.

We thank you for your prayerful support ... and for taking time this day ....to celebrate the life .... of ... _______ _______ _______.

_______ had a gift ... she had the ability ... to make every person feel ... that they were truly special.

If _______ was in the room... well ... you knew it.

She was always open and ready for a conversation ... to make a new friend.

Now She would make comments at times ... that would make you shake your head ... but if your honest ... it also put a smile ... on your face.

She would play the part of ... a tough cookie sometimes.

But the nurses and staff ... at the hospital and nursing facility ... well ... they saw right through it ... and fell in love _______.

She cared deeply ... for every member ... of her family.

When she would speak of family ... it was much like opening a treasure chest ... with each of your individual names ... on a beautiful box ... with in.

She would open your box ... and speak of wonderful memories ... and glorious hopes ... for each of you.

She loved you ... dearly.

"Faith, Hope and Love, ... But the greatest of these ... is Love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

During the times that I would visit _______ ... be it at the farm, ... the hospital ... or at the nursing facility.

We would always end with prayer ... and most times we would share ... in communion.

She would say ... I wonder why God is leaving me here so long?

I would assure her ... that her life and her love ... continues to touch the lives ... of so many.

I remember one visit with _______ at the hospital ... late one Sunday evening.

We talked for a long time... and I shared that I was so thankful ... that God allowed her ... to be a part of my life.

And that her strength ... was an inspiration ... and a witness to me ... as well as to her family ... and friends.

At the end of the stay ... we prayed together ... and I anointed _______ with oil.

She shared with me ... that she always felt a great peace ... after being anointed.

Well ... As I beginning to leave ... her roommate who was behind A closed curtain ... called out to me.

She said I heard you both praying.

I am a Christian ... but I have not been to Church in a long time ... would you anoint me with oil.

I would be honored.

_______'s witness ... even from a hospital bed ... touched the heart ... of yet ... another soul.

Beloved.... our life ....and our death .... leave an imprint.

An imprint on all those .... that we encounter.

On all those ... that God has placed ... in our lives.

_______'s life ....and her death .... Has left an imprint .... on everyone .... who had the honor ... and privilege ... to know her.

I will miss her ... dearly.

O' Beloved...cherish those imprints ... Cherish those memories.

Those imprints ... those memories ... that she has left on your heart.

Hold on to them ... And let the love that they contain ... move through your very being. (Pause)

We will all leave this side of eternity ... and .... those who are in Christ Jesus .... will receive ... the crown of righteousness.

The Apostle Paul ... shared these words .... as he approached .... his coming death:

BIBLE "For I am already being poured out ... like a drink offering, ... and the time has come for my departure. ..... I have fought the good fight, .... I have finished the race, .... I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, .... which the Lord, .... the righteous Judge, .... will award to me on that day......and not only to me, .... but also to all .... who have longed for his appearing." END (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

(Slow) Paul knew that he would soon be put to death ... as he penned the words.........The time has come.... for my.... "departure."

The Greek word ....in this text that is translated "departure" .... was a term .... that was often used by ancient sailors.

It meant ...a time.... for the ... un-mooring ...of a ship.

Paul was speaking of a ship .... that was about to depart.

A ship ... that would be un-moored from the land ....and would be freed ......to set sail.

In Paul's lifetime .... when a ship would leave the harbor, .... Many would gather at the harbor side .... and they would watch the ship .... until it sailed over the horizon.