I was given the honor of presiding at a Funeral Service last week. It was a small gathering of an elderly woman’s close relatives. She had passed away in her nineties.

I asked her family if they could tell me a little bit about their grandmother, and their response was simple, yet profound. I was told that she liked to pray, and walk, and read books.

Her life was simple in its elegance, yet profound in how her faith seemed to touch her surviving relatives. I shared in response that their grandmother was an excellent teacher, pointing them to what is important in life. She taught them that the most important thing is one’s personal relationship with Jesus, and his or her ability to see God in their surroundings. This woman was able to see Him in her walks in nature, and she found Him in the stories that she read about life.

When it comes down to it and we are on our deathbeds, hopefully, our lives will show others a simplicity that points to loving God and each other by the things that we have done.

May God let each of us receive this grace.

By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek