A Doer?!

Thank you to all who read yesterday's Life with Lynnie (LwL) entry.  I appreciate each and every comment, I received... by e-mail or on Facebook (FB).

It did my heart good to receive messages encouraging me for what I did for my deceased brother-in-the-Lord's family.  It was even more heartwarming to hear from those who told me how they had done the same as I had done, in various circumstances.

May God bless each of you.

I was even thankful for the two (2) e-mails I received that did not show support. 

Both were from the same person.  A minister.  Someone I knew many years ago, before I became a born-again Christian, walking with and working for the Lord.  And before they became a minister.

The first (1st) e-mail was pleasant, even if it was not in support of what I discussed, stating that they thought possibly no one had asked for a minister/pastor to be present.  The second (2nd) e-mail was of a very accusing nature.   On their part, to be sure, even though it was accusing me of being slanderous. 

Truthfully, I am not sure, but I have to wonder if the minister misunderstood what I had written.  Hopefully, so.  The alternative answer of negativeness towards me, wouldn't be great.

In an effort to be clear, I did not state that no minister/pastor participated, because they were not being paid.  It was only a thought I wrote about, something I questioned, due to it being a concern to me.

After all, as this minister's e-mail stated, I doubt highly if a minister/pastor would refuse to help out.  If... they knew about it.

So, I must ask again... why wasn't there a minister/pastor in attendance at this grave-side buriel?

Knowing that this fellow being buried, had worshipped with two (2) different church groups over the time I knew him, certainly there was at least two (2) pastors who knew him.  Were they not aware of his death?

I found out by the notice in the death column of the newspaper.  Maybe they don't read it. 

For sure, I know one (1) of the pastors also is employed full-time, with a sales position.  Possibly, he couldn't attend.  With regards to the other, I have no idea.  I just know he wasn't in attendance.  Nor, was any other minister/pastor.

The e-mail I received from the minister suggested that the family may not have requested one to attend the grave-side buriel.  This may be of consideration. 

But, know this... whenever a funeral is being arranged, the family realizes that fees/honorariums must be paid through the funeral home.  At least, that is what was presented when I arranged my now deceased husband Gordon's funeral.

Never once, did anyone make it clear that there was an option of having a minister/pastor volunteer to attend the service.  So, knowing this is the case, how would a family ever know this is available?

And, if it was available, especially in this circumstance relating to a deceased person who was not well off financially, why wasn't the family told?

Never before, have I ever heard of anyone being told that if they couldn't afford a minister/pastor to attend, there would be one who volunteered.  Not when my husband died, other family died, or even when friends died.

In the past, I suggested that ministers/pastors contact funeral homes and not just have their names put on the list of those who will be paid to handle services, but have their names placed on a list of those who will volunteer to do this for families who cannot afford to pay for the service.

After all, the funeral home directors understand the finances of families having to arrange buriels.  They know whether or not finances are a problem. 

Even if no one else understands what I am about to say, I must say that I do, due to working with people as a Realtor, and having discussions with people concerning finances:  sometimes people who have financial trials are embarassed to speak up.  In addition, even if the deceased loved one may have been saved, it doesn't mean that all the family, and especially those making arrangements, are.

Does this mean that as Christians, ministers/pastors should not speak up and have their names added to a list of volunteers to be used in special cases?  As I've said in the past, I believe they need to.

Obviously, nothing of this sort has been done, here in our area.  If it had, it would be safe to say that there would have been a minister/pastor in attendance at the buriel in question.

So, why hasn't this been done? 

Can we say it is up to the funeral home?  Maybe.  Keep in mind, the funeral homes are not of any one religion.  Most have clients of all religions and denominations. 

So, who then should it be up to, to arrange an offering of this sort?  In my opinion, it should be the ministers/pastors.  After all, they are the ones who have Christian hearts, aren't they? 

I believe that whether in a paid position, working for God, or in a non-paid position, those who belong to Him, are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers, only.

This reminded me of James 1:22-25, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

Didn't God tell us in His Word, to preach the gospel to all the creatures of the earth?  Of course, He did.  Whether paid to do this, or not... everyone chosen by God, is commanded to do this.  Including ministers/pastors, being paid or not.

Hopefully, this minister who e-mailed me will take it upon themself to begin a plan of action of this sort, in the area where they live.  By planting those seeds, God will water them, and I pray the plan would expand to all other areas.

Again, I thank each and ever person who messaged/e-mailed me about this frustrating situation.  May God bless each of you.


Until next time...

If you would like to comment, please e-mail:  lifewithlynnie@gmail.com