Yesterday we laid my grandmother to her final rest. While it was sad to say goodbye, it was also a time of deep insight about death and dying well. My grandma’s death gave me a picture of the kind of death I want to have.
I was not able to be there at the moment of her passing, but my mom and step father was present. My step-father said that he could not get over how peacefully she passed. “She took a breath, exhaled passed on,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people die and every one of them struggled and fought.”
My grandmother was one of the kindest ladies I have ever known. Her pastor, in the funeral sermon said, “If you are looking for a role model for your daughter, I would not hesitate for one second to offer Roselee Williams as a great example!”
He continued, “she always thought the best of everyone. If someone was acting particularly contrary, she would say, ‘Maybe they are just having a bad day.'” She would, invariably give folks the benefit of the doubt.
Because of her kindness to others, she was often taken advantage of. Toward the end of her life she was hustled by a young couple who lived nearby.
“They will have to answer for what they have done.” The minister said.
When she began to lose touch with her mind, she would let this couple in her home and would listen to them tell her how badly they needed money. They ended up stealing her purse, her checkbook and other personal items.
The thought came to my mind as I heard about this, this is just her default mechanism. Even in the face of losing her mental faculties, the kindness of her heart took over. She always forgave others. She had no unforgiveness in her heart. She gave people chance after chance.
My own life has benefitted from chance after chance. I have turned away from the Lord on a number of occasions. He continues to give me another chance and another chance… and another. It seems like the closer we are to Christ-likeness the more apt we are to give people chances.
My grandmother lived out this Christ-like life.
I feel that, as a minister, my job is to compel people to the Christ-like life. Also, I have come to see my job in ministry to help people to die well. My grandmother died well. She passed peacefully. I think this is because she had no regrets, no unforgiveness, no bitterness toward others. She had no unfinished business.
She was a lighthearted person. She put herself under Christ’s yoke and learned to share His burden.
If only I can die like this.