“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6 (NLT)

I recently went to a funeral for a dear friend’s father. It was one of the most moving services that I have attended. He loved the Lord  and raised his children to do the same for which I am forever grateful. You see, his daughter Carla was one of my first Christian friends. We met in graduate schooI over 30 years ago. She was unlike any friend I had ever had. What drew me to her, was her warm and kind spirit. 

While I believed in God and attended church 1-2 times a year, I definitely wasn’t living a morally upright life. She didn’t judge. She didn’t preach to me and most of all she never judged my lifestyle. She loved like Jesus loved. After, hearing the preacher talk about similar qualities in her father, I have no doubt those attributes were modeled for her.

When I saw her at the funeral and gave her a big hug I got emotional. I told her that I was so thankful that she had a father and mother that loved the Lord and instilled that in her as well. After my first husband’s death, she was such a big part of me finding Jesus when I needed Him the most. Our friendship that started over 30 years ago on the TCU campus was God ordained. God knew I was going to need a friend like her to guide me on my faith journey.

Because her father had terminal cancer, he was able to let everyone know exactly how he wanted his memorial service. He told the pastor, he didn’t want everyone talking about him and telling jokes about him. His desire was for the pastor to share John 14:6. "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.” (CEV)

Even on his deathbed, he was more concerned about others salvation than having people honor him by speaking about what a good man he was. He was a humble man and wanted God to get the glory at his service, not him. 

The inside of his casket read, May the work that I have done speak for me. A humble, kind, generous, honest and faithful man is how he was remembered. Does the work that I am doing speak about who I am? Carla’s dad’s life was not remembered by his service in Vietnam or his lifelong profession. He was most remembered by the life he lived serving God and serving others. This is the kind of legacy I want to leave too. 

The world may tell us being rich and famous is how people will remember you, but I don’t see it that way. The service for my friend’s father will be something I always remember because of the life he lived for Jesus and his dying wish was for the salvation of those who didn’t personally know his Lord and Savior.

This funeral made me realize how important it is for us to be that friend to someone regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation. Despite our differences we need to love like Jesus. I want to be a Carla for somebody too. Do you know someone that can use a Christian friend? You don’t have to talk about your faith. You live it out. You love them and pray for them even when they don’t know Jesus.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for loving me so much that You put a friend in my life years before I was ready to find You. I praise You for friendships that shine the light of Jesus in our lives even when we can’t appreciate it. Only You could weave a friendship for me that would be that thread that led me to Your Precious Son. Open my eyes to unlikely friendships that will lead others to You. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

June Memory Verse

“Give us today our daily bread.”—Matthew 6:11 

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