Character Counts

from my friend, Ted Gossard at Jesus Community:
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Recently I came across something somewhere imagining what people would talk about at any given funeral. Of course I am referring to the deceased. Would they talk about their great successes in life, perhaps making millions and perhaps living a luxurious lifestyle as a result? Would they talk about their great intellect, how they solved or contributed toward some resolution of some great scientific riddle? Would they be speaking about the deceased’s tremendous speaking ability either in teaching or preaching, and what a formidable intellect they had? How they were successful in life?

No. Instead they would talk about things, if they could, like he (or she) was faithful to their spouse. She loved her children and grandchildren. He always had time for you, and he listened well. She accepted me as I am and was a true friend. He had a heart for the poor and he helped in practical, down to earth ways. She was a loving and humble person. Etc., etc., etc.
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The entire post can be read here.