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Pondering Life and Planning My Funeral

Funerals make me think. Not about my eternal destiny – that’s a done deal, but about what I’m doing that makes any difference.

Listening to Whitney Houston’s funeral service as I did things around the house, it was obvious that she was loved. Tyler Perry’s words were beautiful! Kevin Costner was surprisingly vulnerable and eloquent. BeBe Winans’ story about “crazy Whitney” was charming. People really liked her, and the service reflected that. 

It caused me, again, to think about my own eventual funeral. I’m only in my 40s but so was she. I’ve thought about the music and who I would want to speak. I have friends who have taken their obituary pictures ahead of time to make sure they’re good. Gotta love that!  

But what will be said or conveyed? What impact am I having? Will anyone be different because I lived? 

There won’t be any celebrities at my service and maybe not very many people. I don’t know how loved I am (by humans) or what charming stories could be told about me. But that doesn’t really matter. What matters is how many people know and love Jesus because of my influence. All I care about is how I spiritually impact others. Will there be people in heaven because I told them about Jesus? Will anyone love Him more because I said or did something that inspired them? 

Do my blogs make any difference? Are you more in love with Jesus or living more victorious lives because of what I write? Am I empowering you with the truth of the Holy Spirit? Do I speak life giving and life affirming words?

Seriously, I don’t want to waste my time here. Whatever isn’t producing for the Kingdom needs to go. I don’t want my funeral to be about me! It should be a celebration of the lives that were changed because of Jesus IN me. Not because I was nice, or funny, or cute or talented. Only because of Jesus.  

Being loved is a precious gift that I don’t take lightly. If you love me, thank you! I treasure you!! But please, at my funeral, talk about Jesus. Sing about Him. Make a big deal of Him, and let me just be a footnote in His glorious story. 

How do you feel about your legacy and eventual funeral? 

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  • February 19, 2012
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Comments

Donna Godwin
On 02/20/2012

Amen Lyn- 

All I care about is how I spiritually impact others.

This line is telling of where your heart is-I relate to that. Your blogs are thought provoking and inspire me to be a better warrior for God.  I can remember a time of not caring and not desiring God at all-time changes all things and we are all proof of that! 

I want my funeral to be a celebration of life and nothing else! I don’t even like the word funeral. A RE-birth party-because we will certainly be living new lives!  No gloom and doom, but ALL glory and honor to GOD. Songs of praise, life and joy.  Words of hope and life and light.  Not about me-but about God.  I want my life to be painted with the Words of Christ and not my own. I don’t want to go down in a casket either.  I want my ashes to be sent into the wind as seeds of hope, nourishing the ground wherever they land.
Our future is bright and promising and that’s the legacy we must leave behind-to let people know what is ahead.  Not death, but a glorious life with Christ!

Lyn
On 02/20/2012

Donna, I don’t like the word “funeral” either. For Christians, it’s a party! smile
So appreciate your comments. Thanks!

Jennifer White
On 02/20/2012

Lyn -
Your blogs reflect your heart for God and that always inspires me to live for Him. In this world, I need people modeling loving Jesus above all else so that I have a reference point - a benchmark - a picture painted in front of me of what is possible. Thank you for doing that for me. I love you

Sundi Jo
On 02/20/2012

Ditto to Jen’s comment. You reflect Jesus and your words so matter! I will have lots of amazing things to say at your funeral. P.S. When you die, who are you giving your high heels to? smile

Jody McPhearson
On 02/21/2012

Just so you know, you have impact my life. You have encouraged me to walk closer to God, to hold His hand tighter, to be all that He has called me to be.  And I thank you! I am grateful to God for your blog, your words, and your heart.

These words are penetrating my heart right now:

“Whatever isn’t producing for the Kingdom needs to go”

Lyn
On 02/22/2012

Jennifer, Thank you for such generous words. Love you!

Sundi Jo, Please do speak at my funeral! Not sure who will want my shoes but I sure can’t take them with me.

Jody, You are a blessing, dear friend. Thank you for your kindness.


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I’ve always thought of the Bible as a man’s book. Lyn makes the Bible a woman’s book.

From Lyn’s message, I learned that instead of dwelling on past sin, I can make it victorious in my life. I can conquer these things in my life. I feel empowered today!

Lyn touched our hearts in so many ways during her visit to the Table Rock Freedom Center. Each girl walked away with a new perspective on dealing with the pain of their addictions. She was authentic and full of grace. We can’t wait to have her back.

Sundi Jo Graham
Table Rock Freedom Center

I so enjoy listening to Lyn’s teaching. God uses her to speak loudly in my heart every time!

She always takes a person to the truth that God loves them, and reminds them that their past and present struggles do not change that. She gently, but clearly and directly shares the truth with them and deposits them at the foot of the cross so they can see their Savior, not her.