Generosity

Yesterday I attended my third funeral in the past few weeks, all for really neat people. The funeral yesterday was for the mother of a great friend of mine, Janet Northrup. She was an incredible and selfless woman.

I first met her about 28 years ago. At the time, she was caring for her husband who had contracted Multiple Sclerosis and was in a wheelchair. She continually took care of him without complaint for many years until he passed away several years ago.

At the service yesterday, many words were shared about Janet and her impact on the lives of so many people; however, two things stuck out for me.

First, was that she was all about relationships. One of her grandchildren shared that when one of her grand kids spilled or broke something, she would calmly respond, "That's OK, it's only a thing--you're more important than that!" What an incredibly loving attitude.

Second, was that she was extremely generous with everything, her time, money, her things.

It was clear that Janet really understood Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Matthew 22:36-39