 Click Now to Order
LEGACY
How will you be remembered when you are gone?
James Henry Smith's friends and family will always
remember him as a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan. During his life, Smith
spent Fall Sunday in front of the television watching his favorite team.
Recently Smith died of cancer, but his passing did not keep him from his
favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a television.
Smith's death was not unexpected so his family made
special plans for an unusual viewing. They asked a local funeral home to
set up a small stage in a viewing room and arranged furniture much like
it was in Smith's home every Sunday. Smith's body was shown sitting in
a recliner with his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He was dressed
in black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. The high definition
television in front of him played a continuous loop of Steelers' highlights.
Smith's sister MaryAnn Nails said, "I couldn't stop
crying after looking at the Steelers blanket in his lap. He loved football
and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he
was at home." Longtime friend Mary Jones said the viewing was "a celebration."
She said, "I saw it and I couldn't even cry. People will see him the way
he was."
—Associated Press, Body of Steelers Fan Viewed in
Recliner,
Wed Jul 6. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.
Certainly, I don't want to speak ill of the dead,
but I hope I won't be remembered by my hobbies and my interest. I hope
people will remember me for my mission—my cause—recklessly pouring my life
out for the cause of Christ. I pray they will remember my faith, my love
and my purity.
1 Tim. 4:12 NLT "Don't let anyone think less of you
because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach,
in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
LEGACY
Billy Graham says, “The legacy we leave is not just
in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives . . .”
--http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/159535 Illustration
by Jim L. Wilson and Ed Peterson
Many people believe quality of life only exists in
the possessions and wealth collected in this lifetime. We should
not take any day for granted and live it to the fullest, because we realize
our true legacy is what lasts for eternity.
Luke 12:20–21 (HCSB) “But God said to him, ‘You fool!
This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose
will they be?’ That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for
himself and is not rich toward God.”
|
