Reflections on a funeral

If you wonder why people in nursing homes love children so much, spend a few hours with someone who is dying. After that, a toddler throwing a fit is sweeter music than von Karajan.

If you want free rein to quote God's promises in the Bible, minister to the dying. People want to hear hope at this time--and not just the one facing streets of gold or sulfur.

If you want to know the difference between vague promises of being "in a better place" and the real impact of the Word, attend to the dying and quote those promises.

If you want to know what it's like to serve another with no chance of earthly reward, attend to the dying.

If you want to know who really cared about a person, look at the guest book for their viewing and funeral.

If you want to know how important it is to study and memorize Scripture, visit the dying in a hospital room where the Gideons are not welcome.

If you want to know where paraphrases of the Scripture are not welcome, go to a funeral service. You will hear the KJV or other word for word translation.