Daily Archives: November 18, 2013

Have you ever noticed what the blog says in the upper left hand corner?  Bill Fortney, Photography & Faith.  I try to always strike that balance, but I know sometimes I get pretty excited about the photography side, I hope I never fail to keep faith first!  Sunday afternoon I attended a funeral at my church.  A woman that Sherelene and I have known for over thirty years had passed away.  Her husband died ten years ago and we watched, with amazement, how well she adjusted, and poured herself into her church and family. I didn’t know here extremely well, but I always stopped to talk with her and ask about her when we ran in to each other.  When two former pastors of our church came to perform the service, and various family members spoke, I was struck with something I already knew, but was profoundly reminded of, what is most important in this life.

 

I’m sure she had many talent, and was known to do certain things really well, she was, after all,  a successful woman.  None of that was mentioned, the overwhelming description of her was how selfless, and giving she was.  How much she gave to her friends, brothers and sisters in her church family, and her children, and grandchildren.  It was a real celebration of a life well spent, and a thankfulness that she was now with her husband and family members in Heaven.

 

I thought a lot about what I had heard and experienced when I got home, I dreamed about it last night, and thought about all day today.  I feel confident that I know what God’s message was to me, and I know it is worth sharing with you!  Our lives are not about us, they are not about our honors, what we are known for, or what we have accomplished, or attained, but what we leave behind.

 

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking what the world thinks of us, matters a lot, it doesn’t!  It’s what people know in their hearts about us, because of our sacrifice for them!  You wouldn’t know this woman’s name, even if I shared it with you, she didn’t make an impact on your world.  She did make an impact on the world God gave her to serve, and serve she did.  I would have lived a very meaningful life if that could be said of me someday.

 

That will only happen if I let go of the vestiges of self, and trust the Lord to show me where and how to serve!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim