How I want to be remembered

The beginning of this week a long time friend of my grandparents' passed away after battling with stomach cancer. He was an awesome man of faith and always kind to myself and my brother. I knew him my whole life and though I didn't see him on a regular basis I am still saddened that this world lost a great person. This is the second death of someone of great faith and trust in Christ this year and it has got me to thinking about how I want to be remembered when I leave this earth, what mark can I leave behind me?

Firstly, I want to be remembered as someone who trusted in God and His plan for my life. He has everything under control even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. I want people to be able to see Him in me because I would be nothing without Him.

Secondly, I want to be remembered as someone who was there for others. I want my friends to be able to say that I was always there when they needed me no matter what. I want my family to say that I put them first and that they would know how much their love and support has meant to me. I want it to be said that I was kind and caring and quick to laugh.

Thirdly, I want others to know that I never stopped trying or never gave up. My life has been hard at times. I've been to the point of death and fought back, with God's help of course. I went through life knowing that I could be an example to others of how God can take someone who may be weak physically and make them strong spiritually and emotionally. There are days when I just want to stay in bed but that will do no good and so I get up. I want people to know that you may feel at time like your life is falling apart, that you may be lacking in some way and you have no gifts to offer. Remember that everyone has talents and gifts and that even if you struggle physically, mentally, or spiritually God is there to pull you out of that dark place and build you up to be strong. I want people to remember me as someone who allowed God to do that for me.

Finally, at my funeral I don't want anyone crying. I want people to celebrate my life and that fact that I have gone home to be with my heavenly father. I want people to talk about fun times we had together and to share pictures with each other. I want happy music and lots of good food for people to eat. I want my funeral to be a time of fellowship and celebration. And if you feel like having a beer go for it because I enjoyed that in life too!
So take a minute and think about how you want to be remembered when you are gone. When you figure it out live your life with that in mind. What will people say when you leave this earth and more importantly what will God say to you when you meet him in heaven? I know I want to hear, Welcome home.