Touched for Good – June 22, 2003
At a recent funeral for a woman in her eighties named Elda, the speaker asked all of her relatives to stand. A sprinkling of children and grandchildren rose. Next he asked those who were members of her church to rise. Several dozen more stood.
“How about members of her ladies’ lunch club?” he asked. About 10 more women stood up. “How about those who were in the book club? the sewing club? the homeowners’ welcoming committee? the art class? the garden group? the Tae Bo class?”
On and on he went, listing more than a dozen ways Elda had endeared herself to the community. Hundreds of people were now on their feet, all smiling or chuckling about Elda’s boundless enthusiasm and the many people she had taken time to know and nurture.
One amazing life…countless hearts touched. Here was a woman who made friends with all the neighbors up and down her street, whose happy smile was generously given to all within her circle of influence. From busy young mothers to the lonely and the bedridden, Elda found a way to connect.
When our lives are through and we are called home to our Heavenly Father, how diverse will the congregation be that gathers to bid us goodbye? Will we have reached beyond the familiar to befriend those in need? Will the homeless, the newly married, the elderly, people of various faiths and races remember our friendship to them?
Often we complain that life is too hectic and that we need to cut back and spend more time pursuing leisure activities or doing nothing at all. But could it be that just the opposite is true—that we need to extend ourselves and reach out to others in order to be happy? Holy writ tells us that to live a contented life, we must forget ourselves and fill our days with service and sacrifice for those around us. By reaching out and getting involved in our communities, we can bring strength and hope to the downtrodden, energy to the discouraged and joy to the grieving. Our own lives will be made richer by the variety of friends we learn to love. And when our final chapter is written, it will be lovingly signed by countless friends whose lives were truly touched for good.
Program #3853