Eulogy - What Will Be Said of You?

Millions of people tuned in to President George H.W. Bush's funeral this past week.   There were some phenomenal eulogies for our 41st president, all of which focused on his love of God, family and country.

Jim Baker, President Bush's Chief of Staff and Secretary of State said, "My friends, we're here today in the house of the Lord to say goodbye to a man of great faith and great integrity."

His son, President George W. Bush said, "Dad was always busy - a man in constant motion - but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him."

"Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree. And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person - and usually found it.

Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary; that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values, like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important to give back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver's soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.

In victory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen."

Presidential historian Jon Meacham said, "His tongue may have run amok at moments, but his heart was steadfast. His life code, as he said, was tell the truth, don't blame people. Be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course."

A great woman of the faith passed away in 2015, Elisabeth Elliot.  Steve Saint, whose father was killed alongside Elisabeth Elliott's first husband Jim Elliott in the jungles of South America, eulogized her with these words, ""I'm very sure she would not want to be remembered as a great writer, as a great speaker. She would want to be remembered as a girl, a woman who trusted God to use her and he did, powerfully."

What will people to say during your memorial service?  In the halls of your office?   At your local grocery store?   What will neighbor say?   At the Dr.'s office?

Oddly enough, I've thought about this a lot.   Maybe because I have seen a little more death in my mere 40 years on earth than some.  Maybe because I've sat among complete strangers and talked to them about the life and impact their loved one had one not just me, but an entire nation.   Or maybe it's because I've grieved alongside a traumatized momma as she'd laid her 15 year old only child in the ground and wondered what her purpose was in her short life.

The good news for you - there is still time.  How you treat people, how you convey compassion, or don't. How you love others, or don't.   How you forgive others, or don't.   How you are loyal, honest, trustworthy, kind, or not is what will be remembered long after your gone. 

One thing I heard over and over again from people speaking of our 41st President was that people mattered to him.  All people.  We heard over and over again about times he would ask how someones sick child was doing.  He reached across party lines.  When friends told him they were voting for Reagan instead of him, he didn't turn his back on them, he embraced them.   Sometimes it's as simple as that.


There are two things I want to leave you with today:

CAVU - Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.   President Bush had this plaque placed on the side of his property in Maine.   I don't know the exact reason he had the plaque resurrected there, but you know what I think of when I hear this?   The sky's not the limit...visibility is unlimited.  Take advantage of unlimited visibility and leave your mark.  When visibility starts to drop, slow down a little but don't give up.  The clearing will come in the morning and it will be prime-time to get back at it.   Nothing is holding you back, except you.  Go for it!  What do you have to lose?

And finally, there was a moving tribute played/sang by Michael W. Smith.  Now, I live overseas and I don't always see social media and hype about things.  Imagine my surprise as I am balling through the most amazing memorial service and I hear the prelude  to a song that sounds familiar and then...MICHAEL W. SMITH's voice singing "Friends".   The very same song I sang as a duet with a dear childhood friend shortly after the death of another very good church friend.   Talk about streams of tears.

President George H.W. Bush was 94 years old when he passed away.  I'm more than half his age, yet that song rang true to him and his circle as much as it rings true to me and my circle.

"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the lord of them.
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.
Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long, to live as friends."

What will be said of you?