Valerie Rae Hanneman
Matthew 6:19 - 20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”(NIV)
I attended two memorial services this past Friday. The first one was for Walt Hemphill. Walt’s service was well attended by friends and family - even those he had worked with prior to his retirement were there. Pastor Willie recalled several experiences he had shared with Walt, including how he always looked for Walt every Sonday, right by that pillar he and Donna always sat by. Others talked about his love for baseball and his love for Jesus. And through it all was the quiet assurance that Walt is now with Jesus, whom he loved so much.
The second one was for Viola, my children’s great grandmother on their father’s side. It was such a radically different service. There were about 15 people there, all of them family except me. ( I was there with my son, Steven). There was family missing - a couple of her children and their families who live back east. And sadly - her grandsons and their families, who live here locally. The officiating minister was a rent-a-Rev who did not know Viola and whose words were punctuated by “Bud (her son) tells me she did this” “Bud tells me she loved that.” The woman he spoke of had little resemblance to the angry, bitter woman that I knew. When it came time to share memories, nobody did. The minute the service was over the rent-a-Rev was gone.
Viola’s service was held in the cemetery. As I stood among the cement markers I noticed that they were basically the same. A name, a date that life began, a date when life was no more, and a line in between the dates. I thought about that line between the dates and of how it represented the life of the person named on that marker. All the dreams and disappointments, the joy and sorrows, the first dance and the last breath. Each line looked the same - but represented lives that were different from each other. And each line represents a legacy of what is left behind in the memories and lives of the people that each person has touched.
I wonder what the legacy of my line will be?
The legacy of Walt’s line is wonderful. Walt served in WWII and during a battle he promised God that if he survived he would serve Him all his life. Walt survived, and he kept that promise. One of those who spoke at Walt’s celebration of life talked about his 35 years at Fresno First and how he kept everything repaired and running. He said that there was not a room or machine in our campus that had not felt Walt’s touch. Walt was not involved in a highly visible ministry - but he was faithful to the ministry that God gifted him to do. And these many years later we still benefit from his faithfulness. I did not know Walt well but like Willie, I looked for Walt & Donna by their pillar every Sonday. They were part of the group of people I looked for every Sonday as I sat in the choir. As a newly returned Christ follower - who did not really understand being committed to anything other than my children, the steady commitment of Walt, Donna and the others I looked for taught me not only their commitment to God, but also His commitment to them. I know Donna and their son Ray much better than I knew Walt. Is there a more gracious woman than Donna? Every time we talk she is full of encouragement for me. She attended to my daughter, Fawn, when she was baptized. Ray works faithfully in the media team at FFBC. Sometimes he works sound board, sometimes he works a camera and sometimes he works the switcher control board in the back. Ray taught my son how to run the sound board and now my son runs the sound for Kid Mo’ on Sondays and for Care Fresno Kids Klub on Friday. Walt’s legacy of service is written in his family.
The legacy of Viola’s line is not so wonderful. I have never met an unhappier woman than Viola. Her life was a disappointment to her and she took out the disappointment on her family. Her conversations were a litany of complaints and bitterness. I never saw her go out of her way for another person - including her family. Self-sacrifice was simply not in her vocabulary. The legacy of her line was most apparent in the rent-a-Rev and the family that chose not to come to that final service. Her legacy continues through her children.
Two lines - two legacies - each so different from the other. What made them so different? That’s is easy. It’s Jesus.
Walt knew Jesus. He knew the Giver of Life and Jesus gave Walt an extraordinary life and an extraordinary legacy in the hearts, minds and lives of his family and friends.
Viola’s life says that she did not know Jesus - or if she did - she did not allow Him to impact her life. Hers was a joyless life and that was the legacy she passed on to her children.
I hope that the legacy of my line is as rich and full as that of Walt’s. I think that it is going to be because, like Walt, Jesus in the foundation of my life. And in these few years that I have tried to follow closely after Him, He has given me a life that I can only describe as incredible.
What is going to be the legacy of your line?
Beloved Jesus, I want the legacy of my line to be written in the brilliant colors of joy of a life spent serving You. I want that legacy to be written in my children’s lives and in my children’s children’s lives. Help me to live that legacy.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org.
Posted by Valerie at September 2, 2005 06:54 PM