My Inheritance

I attended my aunt’s memorial service yesterday afternoon. It was perfect. She would have loved it. It was full of laughter and conversations and reminiscing. There was singing and smiles and hugs and reacquainting of relatives, and oh yes, food too. Yes, she would have been pleased.

That’s who she was. She was so relational. She loved people. Even me. In fact it “I love you, Curt” were the last words I heard her say to me. It can be such a casual phrase to utter. It can also take on other meanings: I need you, please don’t go, we’re related, you’re kind, you’re fun to be around. It’s a phrase with the word we use to describe our desire for any object we like in a moment of delight. But with Evelyn Labruyer, I felt loved. I knew she meant those words. She really did love me.

We gathered together to celebrate this wonderful woman’s life: Aunts and uncles and cousins; many familiar faces that have aged along with me. Yet we each seem to remain the same. Not much has changed in personality, but life has a way of letting circumstances squeeze out what is really inside. Life is messy. I don’t think any of us expected to be where we are. I certainly expected it to look different. I feel pretty beat up, that sense of being used goods. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to reunite. My sense of identity is damaged and I seek out where I’ve come from. Or, too, maybe it’s safe. I can come and be a child in the eyes of aunts and uncles who love me and see me purer than I am. Grace is a powerful thing.

I am profoundly moved by being connected to a group of people who have lived on faith in their God and remain steadfast in their belief in Him. They pray, they believe, they trust. I recognize that their blessing is now mine. As much as I have resented the legal doctrine of church and rules of religion that I could not stomach, I know that what was meant with good intention, actually has been waiting for me to enter in, to discover the vast city of faith constructed by others in my ancestry who have chose as I have chosen, to be children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I now have more in common with these relatives than mere blood relations. I have eternal blessings. In a way I discovered that my family is rich beyond comprehension. No longer thinking and living paycheck to paycheck, but now having full access to unlimited resources to make a difference in this world. God’s blessing is profoundly upon these people of faith of whom I belong in blood and spirit.

Thank you, my family, for standing when all circumstances said run, give up, flee, when there was no hope. Thank you for believing in the God who sought you out and called you to walk in faith. Thank you for responding and not giving in to fear.

And now as the next generation of believers, what is my role to play in the business of faith? I am a priest to my household. I am a confidant of faith to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I carry on the torch that burns bright for the Masters calling. This is a family with a heritage of faith that calls for warriors to fight for those who are weak, that care for those who suffer, and give to those who have nothing. We’re here to manage our enormous blessing to bless those God brings across our path, to those to whom He sends us. Our blessing isn’t ours to merely enjoy, but to take full advantage of, by service to our Lord. He doesn’t bless so we can be comfortable. He blesses with intention.

Lord, let me see. Let my family see the purpose we have in this great inheritance. Holy Spirit, guide us to make God’s will our own. Convert this blessing into lives changed forever because of Your love.


Amen, may it be so.