For several years, I spent some of my reflective time in an old cemetery in our city. The older the tombstone, the more likely to have an epitaph inscribed. This short sentence or phrase was intended to capture the heart of the person…the way he or she lived his or her life.
If you Google my name “Ron Edmondson”, you’ll easily find my blog, that I’m on Twitter, my church, and some other blogs that I’ve commented on or that have featured some of my writing. What you’ll also find is that I died June 11, 2008. I was an attorney in Texas, apparently well-respected, and I left a loving family. Of course, that’s not the real me, but who knows that in 13 years…or any day…it won’t be.
I’m not trying to be morbid, but when I ran across this Google listing, I couldn’t help but consider what they will write about me some day. By the way, most likely, others will have to say or write something about you some day also.
What will the say? Perhaps, more importantly, what do you want them to say?
Do an exercise with me. Help write your obituary…your epitaph…beyond your date of birth, birthplace, occupation, and family listings…Those are the basics…everyone gets them listed. When you get past those points, what will they say?
This will be a little more difficult, maybe even awkward Friday discussion, but take a few minutes and write a one or two sentence epitaph as a comment on this post. What will they say you were known for? What was the focus of your life? What was most important to you? If you got to pick a few words to say at your funeral, or write on your tombstone, what would those words be? Don’t worry about your past…write what you want them to say…
Go! Your comment here will encourage others and me…
…And I promise…You’re more likely to live it if you know what you want to live…
Then answer this question: I’ve heard people say, it doesn’t matter what they say about you when you are gone…you are gone…Do you agree or disagree? Why?
He stumbled and fell.
While on his knees surrendered to God.
Then got back up and lived for Christ.
That's great Zack
That's awesome! Live that one!
I hope it's not too simple, and I hope it's true and stays true. "God's love flowed through him."
That's awesome
I’ve heard people say, it doesn’t matter what they say about you when you are gone…you are gone… — Ron! I dsagree with this simply becuase we always leave a legacy behind us. A positive legacy is sure to create a radiating and inspiring effect in the minds of the future generations.
That's true Uma. We are leaving something…good or bad.
Epitaph (or "Life Sentence" as one of my mentors called it): "He loved Jesus, his wife, his family and God's church" In response to the question, I care very deeply how those mentioned in my epitaph say about me. It vitally important that Jesus says, "Well done, Mark" when I meet him face to face.
seven words; free, honest, generous, faithful, passionate, servant, content.
Jesus is everything to me, still!
For some reason and in spite of all the churchy things people write, I can't forget the epitaph that said, "I told you I was sick!"
That's still a good one…
Thanks David. That's a good one.
"David did God's will during his lifetime. Then he died…" Acts 13:36 (NCV)
Several years ago, when you searched my name on the web, you came up with "Jason Adkins Cemetery" in PA. Yes, that's sobering.
I want these words from Jesus on my tombstone: "I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Rev 1:18)