Tuesday was a very difficult day for me. I had the memorial service of a beautiful woman in our church and community named Anna Marie Schrock. She was just 51 years old. When I first heard that she had died, I couldn’t believe it and actually started to become physically sick. I thought to myself, "This can’t be true! But it was." In light of her sudden passing, a number of thoughts have filled my mind over the last several days. Here are a few of them.
• Don’t major on the minor things in life.
• Practice forgiveness. Keep short accounts with God and people.
• Tell your family and loved ones that you love them-- today and often!
• None of us know how old we really are. If you are 20 and are going to die at age 25, you are an old man or woman. If you are 75 and are going to die at age 90, you are a young man or woman.
• "A great name is rather to be chosen than great riches." Proverbs 22:1
Anna Marie chose a great name over great riches. Anyone who knew her associated her name with kindness, thoughtfulness, helpfulness and encouragement. As secretary at our kids' middle school she had a great impact on students, teachers, administrators and parents every day. She lived her life going out of her way to help others in any way she could.
When she passed away, hundreds and hundreds of people stood in line at her calling hours. They came to honor her for the way she chose to live her life, to offer their condolences to the family and to share in the grief caused by her passing.
Anna Marie, thanks for the way you lived your life for the Lord. Thanks for your example of kindness and thoughtfulness and for impacting all of us.
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
