Yesterday there were two funerals.
One was witnessed by much of the world. The famous, the rich, the infamous and all in between came to the funeral to say their last goodbye. The streets were lined with people wishing they, too, could be a part of the services inside. Crowds gathered in front of almost every television in every public venue to watch the publicized farewell of the well-known entertainer.
He spent his life dancing and singing. He also spent his life causing people to question his goodness. Some absolutely believe he was a good man. Some absolutely believe he was not.
But there was another funeral yesterday. Family and friends attended the funeral of a gracious, caring Southern lady. While there were some there that might have a degree of what is called famous, by the standards of the other funeral, there were no famous personages there. The casket was not covered in gold. Well known singers did not perform tearfully at the service.
Adele spent her life caring for others. She spent her young adult years caring for her daughter with Down's Syndrome. She volunteered what spare hours she had with several charities and her church. She spent later years caring for an ailing husband with a heart condition. She helped teach family members the Lebanese dishes of their heritage. She lived her life in view of what she could do for others. There is no one who knew her that questions her goodness. "She was always gracious." "She was always a lady." "She was such a sweet woman." These are comments I overheard from others as I walked among those mourning her passing.
Two funerals, two very different individuals. One who so richly deserves the praise of the world that she didn't receive yesterday. One who may deserve the censure from the world he didn't receive yesterday, it is not for me to know that. But there is One who does know, and His judgement is right and true. And I know Adele will stand before Him and receive the praise from those lips from whom it will matter the most and hear these words,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant" Mat 25:21
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=42a85403-081b-41d4-bd6e-ebe62ad14a1e)
3 comments:
Thank you so much. On reflection, I am blessed to know so many Adeles in my life. They are passionate, generous and selfless men and women who walk down public streets in almost total anonymity. Thank you for reminding us that there is a reward beyond that of parades and glitter.
i too know an Adele...she's still alive...she's my best friend and confidante...we go over our daily Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest." She takes care of her 92-year old mother, 2 grandsons visiting from Florida and another, her adult nephew. She also bakes goodies for the youth groups at church, she hosts a Tuesday Bible study, she takes in people in trouble in her already crowded trailer home, she works at the church's thrift shop, she encourages me at all times and chides me with a loving attitude when i'm fogging up in my walk with CHRIST.
She too is an Adele...and she's my blessing from GOD...we both have the joy of the Lord JESUS!
RLN,
What a blessing for you to have her in your life, and I'm sure she finds you such a blessing as well. There are so many who give so much and no one knows about them. But the Lord knows and He will greatly reward them with rewards that won't tarnish.
I love the book "My Utmost.. ." also.
Post a Comment