A week ago I began working on the eulogy for my friend Dave who passed away at the age of 87. I rejoiced that he went home to be with the Lord, but now was overwhelmed trying to sum up his life in a twenty minute message to his family and friends I’d never met.
I worked all week after work, thinking and writing, editing and re-writing. I’ve only ever given two eulogies in my 14 years as a lay minister. Being asked (trusted) to give a eulogy is such an honor…but it weighs heavy on my mind. These are the last words the gathered family will hear about their loved one.
If it’s too emotional it becomes depressing. Too light and it’s impersonal. Too long and it loses the focus. Too short and your relationship to the deceased seems insignificant.
I finally got my six pages done by Friday night. It seemed to cover the bases in a way that everyone could relate to…I hoped. I texted David to see how he wanted to handle the order of service, and if there’d be anyone coming after me to share stories or memories of his Dad.
He stated that whatever I decided would be fine, that he would take my suggestions. Then he texted “I just love my Dad.”
I texted back that it would be good to open the podium for some to share memories and stories. He agreed then texted me two words: “Love you.”
That reset my mind. It reset my heart. We all lost Dave. We all loved Dave. The only thing bringing all of us to this funeral was LOVE. You don’t usually go to the funeral of someone you hate, you go to honor someone you’ve loved in life. My nerves immediately relaxed…not forever, but enough for me to remember that this service is really simple at its core: LOVE.
To be continued…just one more installment.
dailyarmor.blog 
This is excellent brother Eric, thank you for sharing these meditations. God bless you and your family today brother 🙏
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