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July 14, 2008
A Race Well Run
Today was my grandmother's funeral. It was a beautiful day in western Pennsylvania. Blue, sunny skies, warm but not too warm, low humidity. Just the kind of day my grandmother would have loved and enjoyed to the fullest - working outside in her garden or on her flowers.
During the service the pastor read several passages from scripture, all of which I have heard hundreds of times before. But as is usually the case, a few verses caught my attention like I had just heard them for the first time. First, from Corinthians:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
And then from 2 Timothy:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
It occurred to me right then and there what an amazing race my grandmother has run and has now finished. A race multitudes better than the best race I could ever hope for.
The past several days have been amazing, all the people that have been in and out of the funeral home to say their goodbyes and all with a wonderful story about how my grandmother touched their lives. Of course I already knew how wonderful a woman she was but validation after validation came walking through the doors. She will definitely be missed!
But now her race is finished and I have a job to do - to try to run my race with as much integrity, passion and love as my grandmother ran hers. Big shoes to fill but I will give it my best. Luckily I had a great teacher and example. And one day when my race has been run and I am finished I will meet my grandmother again. And we will rejoice!
Posted by beth at July 14, 2008 6:41 PM
Comments
Very nicely put, Beth. Glad your g-ma's funeral was filled with so much love, faith and friendship. She would have been so proud.
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at July 14, 2008 7:00 PM
It sounds like it was a very nice funeral.
Posted by: maija at July 14, 2008 7:32 PM
What a lovely entry, Beth. I am sure your grandma was a wonderful lady. I am so sorry to hear that she passed but I am sure she is in a beautiful place now!!
Posted by: barb at July 15, 2008 10:31 AM
Oh Beth - what courage you have! The time that we have with our loved ones is very precious, and I'm really glad that you were able to experience this. You will carry her strength with you into your next race. She will be so proud of you!
Posted by: marit c-l at July 15, 2008 10:31 AM
Hey Beth,
Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Sounds like her attitude lives on through you!!!
Posted by: kerri at July 15, 2008 12:59 PM
I'm here by way of Jen Harrison's blog ...
I'm very sorry to hear of your Grandmother's passing. Please know that you will be in my prayers!
It is amazing that God always knows what you need, and the two bible verses are beautiful!
Posted by: Michelle at July 16, 2008 3:55 PM