Saturday, January 30, 2010

A TIME TO BE BORN AND A TIME TO DIE

Ecc 3:1,2  To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die...

On Friday morning Jeff and I headed out to attend the funeral of my SIL's grandfather, Ralph te Velde.  I didn't know the man well, but what I did know of him I liked.  He was just one of those people who was always happy and always had a smile on his face.   My SIL was quite close to his grandfather, and has told us all many times of numerous things he learned directly from this man, not only about the dairy business that he loved, but about how to live and conduct his life.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard Mike say, "My Grandpa always says..." or "My Grandpa believes..", or "My Grandpa does it this way."  What an amazing influence that man had on my young SIL.  After sitting for a while at this service, I quickly saw that this man had a LARGE influence on MANY people, and there were many who would miss him terribly, whose lives were altered because he lived.  Now Ralph knew the Lord well, so there is no doubt that he is dancing in the streets of Heaven today, no longer troubled by the things of this world, and this particular service was really a celebration of his life, and a glorious graduation to the next.  But as I sat there listening to the various different stories from the people who knew him best, some from when he was just a young boy, to those who knew him in high school, to the men he worked with over the years, and finally to those who had come to know him like I had just over the last few years as a retired dairy man, husband, father and grandfather, I was truly amazed.  I found the verse in Ecclesiastes coming to my mind over and over again, and was struck by the truth in it.  "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."  We all go through the various seasons in our life, each unique in their own ways, living our lives out influencing those around us for either good or bad rather we realize it or not.  I began thinking of how I have influenced not only the people who are so close to me in my life, but ALL the people I have come in contact with, and rather or not it was for the good or for the bad.  When it comes time for me to die, I want my life to have counted for Him.  I want to feel the purpose that He had in mind for me was indeed lived out.  I want to be remembered as a woman who loved the Lord, and lived my life in a way that reflected that.  "There is a time to be born, and a time to die."  None of us know the time or place our souls will be required of us.  We need to live our lives NOW in a way that will count for all eternity.  This is our season to live, and our chance to do what the Lord has called us to do, is now.  Because we will all, with total certainty, reach our time to die, and when we do, we will stand before Him and give an account of our life.  I want to hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Mat 25:23 ...Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.

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26 comments:

  1. Well said, Debbie!
    Many points in your post struck a chord with me. Especially, "We need to live our lives NOW in a way that will count for all eternity. This is our season to live, and our chance to do what the Lord has called us to do, is now." Recently my husband and I made a vow to go on living... you see, his cancer had put our lives on hold. For almost five years now it has consumed us. Our goal now is to live in the joy of the Lord and find new ways to serve Him. God bless.

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  2. That verse is one of my all time favorites! So true!

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  3. Hi Debbie,
    What a great post! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful Sunday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. I have loved that song since the time I first heard it. I have had similar experiences at funerals lately. Even services for people I thought I knew pretty well I was impressed with the stories those who knew them even better shared. The older I get the more I realize how short life is. Thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  5. Time goes by so fast! And it's better to start putting our attention on those that have eternal values. May God's comfort cover your SIL and his family. Blessings.

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  6. What a life well spent! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Thank you for those thoughts, Dear. Blessings ~

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  8. Deb, this was so good. I love your observations after attending this funeral. I've been to way too many but I'm always encouraged when it is a celebration of a life lived for the Lord. Your song choice was perfect too.

    My paternal grandfather was the first person I lost that I was very close to. It was way back in 1971. However, he had such an impact on people. Do you know that I attended a high school reunion and a guy came up to me and told me that my grandpa had led him to the Lord! I was overjoyed as he described the encounter.

    It brings to mind the song "Thank You for Giving to the Lord". Have you heard it? I think Ray Boltz sings it. I'll have to check YouTube.

    Love,
    Debbie

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  9. This sounds like a man that was well loved. These scriptures are so perfect. Thank-you for sharing about this man today.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  10. I love this song and as my children get older the time changes again and life goes on my dear thank you for this song today

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  11. I want what you wrote here so much. I want to hear HIm say well done....I want to live making a difference. Have a great rest of the weekend. Sarah

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  12. What an uplifting manner in which you've shared this somber news. I sense your Ralph is smiling and nodding at your wise reflections.

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  13. What an uplifting manner in which you've shared this somber news. I sense your Ralph is smiling and nodding at your wise reflections.

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  14. How neat that this grandfather had such an impact on his grandson...just by the way he lived. His life was his testimony.
    :-) Thanks for the inspiration that my life is a louder testimony of my love for the Lord than my words.

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  15. What a blessing to have this influence in your family. Thank you for sharing from your heart.

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  16. Oh Debbie...
    Sweetie this is the perfect song and I just love it. Thank you for sharing a little of Ralph te Velde with me this evening. He sounds like a wonderful man to have such a beuatiful influence on his grandson. He will in turn share this influence with his children as well. Isn't is something how the circle of life continues if it is taught well.

    I am so tickled about this new little guy that is coming into our lives. He does not have a name yet, they are still working on it. I didn't share the picture that shows he is a true boy, but it does exist, and I so tickled for my son. This family needs some happiness brought to it this year, this is our year to shine.

    Thank you for stopping by, and I just wanted to share that Matthew 25:23 is my favorite. I tell this to my children all the time. Debbie you show your love for the Lord every day that I come to visit you. You do live you life in a way that reflects that. You are such a giving person, and you share you love in every post. You do not realize how much you touch our lives each day, and you cannot begin to imagine the people who read our blogs each and every day. Believe me they know.

    Have a beautiful Sunday with your family. Once again, so touching. Country hugs and much love...Sherry

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  17. Dear One,

    Beautiful thoughts and reflections. My husband and I are trying to live within today since he had his open-heart surgery in 2006. You made me rethink many things again here with so much going in our lives.

    My prayers are with you and your family.

    Love you,
    Alleluiabelle

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  18. What a wonderful word to remind us to make every moment of every day count for HIM. We went to one such funeral recently and what stuck with me were everyone who spoke of "Jim" said, "I never heard him speak an unkind word about anyone." & "You didn't talk to Jim for 5 minutes without hims asking you if you knew Jesus." What a testimony.

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  19. A good, timely and much needed post. Thank you for posting.

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  20. Debbie:

    I just visited Gayle over at Solitary Moments and she wrote about not knowing when we will die.

    I thought of the verse you posted - and yes I want to stand before Jesus and have Him say to me, "well done, good and faithful servant."

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  21. Hi Sweet Debbie,
    Isn't it interesting how a funeral can influence us? I think God uses them to help us to stay focused on what IS more important.

    I always come away from a funeral with a deeper desire to make every day count for the Kingdom, yet always have so much room for growth in this area.

    You shine the love of our Lord, dear friend, in a way that leaves a lingering fragrant aroma of Christ to savor and be drawn to.
    We can always do better than we are, but I want you to know that you definitely DO radiate His love in a beautiful way!! He delights in your loving, caring, giving heart, and the way you share His love with others!!

    Have a joyful week!
    Love ya,
    Becky

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  22. Dear Debbie, My heartfelt condolences to you dear SIL. When I first looked at the picture before even reading anything, I thought" what a lovely couple and grandson". The smiles told a lot.

    The scripture you shared is great, and your thoughts spoke to me. I have had a lot of time to think lately, through this physical trial, and one thing I have been thinking about is my life and what can be said about it
    My desire is to hear "well done my good and faithful servant."
    As always I leave here encouraged and challenged to become more dedicated.
    Thank you for praying for me, I am thankful that I am able to be about visiting today. I have so missed not being able to visit. Yesterday was a great day, and today seems even better. Me thinks I see a light at the end of this tunnel. lol
    Hugs and blessings,
    Sue

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  23. Hope you don't mind. I added a link to your blog on arise 2 write.
    andrea

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  24. Happy, happy anniversary to you guys! What a beautiful couple you are and an inspiration for those of us at the 10 year mark!!! Saw The Color Purple play a few months back -- absolutely loved it. Hope you do too!

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  25. this made me cry, so far i have been a silent, though still nonetheless blessed observer of yr blog but i just commented how youve ministered to my heart as a mother and wife tho weve spoken very little over the time i grew up with melody and so on, but i just want to affirm you have blessed my heart w your blog

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!