Recently Bobby’s grandma passed away and yesterday was a memorial service in remembrance of her. I did not know her well, but naturally I attended. Many relatives came, including some I had never met. People shared and cried, laughed and mourned. Some delicious food was provided and most everyone spent the time visiting. There was a table set up with pictures, old newspaper articles and memories of Grandma Blakey. I haven’t been to many memorials or funerals, but I am intrigued by what people remember about someone who has passed. It seems that most prominent points stand out, positive or negative. Maybe they were a strict parent, enthusiast of some hobby, loving to a spouse, successful in a career, education, or accomplishments. Failures are hardly mentioned because everyone is remembering all of the good things for which they lived.

It is common to be absorbed with image and reputation. It seems that we always want people to think we are the best at something, or at least leave an impression that will have us taken seriously. When someone describes us negatively we are offended. Surely we don’t want people to think we are judgmental, narrow-minded, a complainer or shallow. When I was younger I tried so hard to be physically attractive. I wore lots of makeup and made sure that my hair, clothes and nails were just so. I wanted people to say that I was the prettiest. Then one day I heard someone state that one of my sisters was the prettiest person they had seen. I was crushed! I wanted to make that impression and I had failed! Tonight I am thankful to have realized that all my attempts at image and reputation are futile in the Lord. Paul’s words in Philippians 3 have spoken loudly to this matter in my life as I seek to live pleasing unto the Lord and not to men.