We've Got Rhythm

The Occasion:  The funeral of a sweet 86-year-old lady from our church. Strong in faith and character, Harriet blessed all who knew her.  Her funeral was a beautiful celebration. She loved and was loved by many.

The Place: Our church has a simple floor plan. A big room doubles as sanctuary and fellowship hall, which only poses a problem the few times a year we need both on the same day.

The Music:  Peaceful atmosphere and beautiful flowers. Displayed pictures, shared stories, and shed tears. Harriet’s physical family derives comfort from each other. So does her church family. We loved this gentle feisty (yes, it’s possible to be both) lady, and our love language today is service and food.

The Dance:  Both fascinating and complex. No one leads yet everyone knows what to do. The spirit of cooperation is a wonder to behold.

Worker bees quickly remove hymnals and Bibles from under chairs and stack them in a side room. 

Many hands make light work and chairs are pushed to the side so long rows of white church tables can be set up. A team of apron-wearing ladies efficiently slap down tablecloths in short order. Like a giant Transformer toy, in ten minutes the room morphs from sanctuary to fellowship hall.

The dance pauses as we break for food. A long food table groans under our congregation’s offering. Somehow this feast unites Harriet’s two families as we grieve and rejoice.

Not sure how we know it’s time, but at some point the dance resumes. Someone refills coffee cups. Some else collects garbage. A lot of someones clear tables, bag up and disperse leftovers. Someone does dishes. Someone else takes dirty tablecloths home to wash.

Tables are put back into storage. Chairs are moved back. The carpet gets vacuumed. We once more change from eating hall mode back to church mode.

I am fascinated by a Godly woman who lived well and died well. I’m also fascinated by a group of people, united by their love for God and love and respect for Harriet who cheerfully did an amazing amount of work in a short period of time.

While we close a chapter of our church family’s story, Harriet is just beginning a new chapter of hers.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. 

--Psalm 116:15-- (NASB)