What Will They Say?
Every so often I wonder about my funeral. (Now, I know this is not a pleasant thought, but it has a significant purpose for me). When I think about that day, I wonder what people will say about me, you know, what kind of person I was and what kind of impact I made on the world. This process is quite humbling and motivating. It’s humbling because I know God is the one who controls life and not me. I know my life will end one day. It’s motivating because it causes me to give my life to the things that really matter – God, eternal values, family and friends.
Therefore, each day I live, I am writing, or at least have opportunity to write the eulogy that I would like read at my own funeral. Here are some questions that have been very helpful to me as I have thought through this process. They may be helpful to you, too, as you write and live your own eulogy
1. How do I want to be remembered?
2. What personal characteristics do I want people to remember me for or by?
3. What do I want to have accomplished?
4. What will have been the most important to me in my life?
5. What will my lasting legacy be?
Have you ever asked yourself these kinds of questions? If so, how did the process make you feel?
If you don’t mind, take a moment to think through one of the questions above and leave your answer here. Grace and peace.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Tags: Death, eternal values, eulogy, Family, Friends, Future Opportunities, Life, Priorities, Self Examination, Self Reflection
September 16th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Lost a friend today…makes the question all the more poignant…thanks, Bro.
September 18th, 2009 at 12:34 am
I have been struggling with some significant health issues recently. It has certainly brought this issue to the forefront of my mind. It is a different level of accountability for our actions and the impact of our actions on others. It continually reminds me that God is in control and we are his vessel.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I have written my eulogy and then turned it in to sort of a business plan for living. . Recently I attended to celebrations of friends who have passed on. They each wrote their own eulogies on paper and by how they lived in service to God. My nephew who attended with me, was inspired to write his list of accomplishments both present and future. We are His children and charged to do work on earth until we join him. This is a good why to remind us that our purpose has been planned. God has everything in order, it is we who need reminding, rememberance is for us to stay focused on the goal.
September 27th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I've thought about this quite a bit. I guess I just hope when I leave this earth that the people I love know that I loved them. That they see that I tried and though I often fail that I desire to make wrongs right. I hope they see that I am sorry for the times I hurt them or let them down. I hope that my children know that they are/were my greatest joy in life and that all I ever wanted to be was a good mother to them. I hope my husband has a lifetime of good memories to look back on. Ultimately, I hope my life reflects my faith and that my desire to please my Lord shows in how I lived my life.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Kym. let's live with the end in mind. Blessings!