When asked to do a funeral, I often look for clues to help me say something personal. One family who lost their mother knew exactly what to give me: her Bible. Lucy’s Bible was full of notes, encouraging letters and cards, recipes and other clues that told me so much about this spirited woman, her passionate love for God and her three extraordinary sons.

Lucy raised and supported her three sons alone, yet she still managed to openly display love and affection. One of her Bible bookmarks was a simple cross stitch: “Smile: God loves you.” Elsewhere she wrote: “What must I do to be saved? Love thy neighbor. Help and be a brother to him. Love thy Lord thy God with all your heart. Pray for the whole world every day. Love thy neighbor.” For Lucy, loving your neighbor was the primary focus.

Amidst “Praise the Lord Anyhow!” stickers and four-leaf clovers, Lucy sensed she was leaving behind a legacy for her children to follow within the pages of this Bible. She wrote: “My children are all my life. I love each one as I do the other. I would give all my treasure to the God who made it all possible.”

Lucy also marked scripture passages. This one was displayed as her favorite: “Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.”

Yet, what makes Lucy’s life memorable were the letters left behind for her children. Maybe, sensing her own ending she wrote the following poem: “Remember when Mama used to be young and spry: baking lots of cookies and sugar cream pies? It’s strange how we all thought she’d never wear out. She walks with a cane because of rheumatism, no doubt. When folks grow old they need so much more care. Mama must have a home but the question now is where? Does anyone want her?”

Here was her answer: “Yes, there is one willing to give her a place in the sun where there will be no heartache, no wonder or doubts and she won’t have any troubles to worry about. Mama has a new home now for God has prepared a special place.”

She marked one scripture passage for her funeral: “I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

Through the pages of her worn Bible, Lucy left behind a priceless legacy. Lucy herself said it best: “God loves you. He’ll give you life everlasting, if you only believe. Yes, there is a God. I know. Without Him life would be nothing. He is a part of my life and every night I talk to Him as I am talking to you now. His love is with us all the time. He will get you safely out of a storm regardless how rough. He’ll be there. Just reach out. He will always hear you.”

REV. LARRY E. DAVIES can be reached at larrydavies@sowingseedsoffaith.com.