A Life Well Lived or Because of Him

Jim, when he called this morning,because I attended a funeral yesterday,wondered if I am writing about death and sorrow...again🙏'Actually, the total opposite' I replied,'I'm writing about life and living' (hopefully joyfully in spite of sorrow) Yesterday, at a another funeral service at our church for another beloved, ripe-old-aged, faithful saint laid to restthe relevance of the phrase 'life well-lived' impacted me.No fancy or exceptional faculty or status requiredto earn this accolade. What first may seem quite commonplace;Morn's light-replenished sky Is fresh evidence of God's graceWaiting for our reply... A life well-lived; a culmination of moments well spentOf recognition that its gift begets its testamentAware that by God’s grace who and wherever we may beHe grants to all this universal opportunityTo triumph in what matters most, not for fortune or fameBut, with one sole objective; to bring glory to God’s nameTo know it is enough, no matter how common the taskTo render service for the King; He helps us if we askTransforming what, in the grand scheme of things may seem so smallAnd commonplace, because of love, into life’s Best of All A life well-lived does not depend on rare abilitySuperior intelligence or physicalityA life well-lived is something we are all able to doAnd its account we give to God is up to me and youWith no one else to blame, because in every circumstanceHe does not leave us helpless or without His providenceHe never turns a blind eye or deaf ear to prayer or needHis Word is truth; We ought to give his word more earnest heedAnd recognize Today is of great price, an altar whereWe prove through fruit of sacrifice, who we love and revere A life well lived; what better witness can we leave behindThan the track-record of love, generous, patient and kindWith God, then others first in mind, and not begrudginglyBut with a heart that overflows with joy of ‘Christ in me’His light no dark hour can dim, His grace our want suppliesAnd as we cast our cares on Him His faithfulness repliesTo keep us in His perfect peace though sorrow-storms assailTo know that He is able, His promises never failTo help us, for His glory to accomplish day by dayA life well-lived, because of Him, when Soul’s shroud slips away © Janet Martin And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. I've had much occasion recently to ponder this song...