Remember who you are and who you represent. Those words were written on the cover page of the Celebration of Life program that was held in memory of Pat Smittle, who went home to be with the Lord and her husband Burl on Christmas Day. Lots of positive words were shared by Pat’s family and friends who clearly celebrated a God-loved life lived to the fullest by this remarkable lady who was a founding member of Covenant Church and lifetime friends to many people in our church and throughout the community. The most remarkable comments that I heard were those that came from her numerous grandchildren that spoke about her and her impact on each of their lives. Most of their talks were made through tears shed for their Nana, who clearly loved them so very much. There were a number of comments that were repeated and it showed what stood out with each of her grandchildren. One observation that was made by multiple grandchildren was a frequent comment that Nana made to them most times when they were leaving her home – “Remember who you are and who you represent”.
This request could be made toward the family and their parents as represented in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.
This same message is also expressed in the New Testament:
Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Obey your parents in the Lord means to live willingly under the authority of parents with obedient submission to them as the agents of the Lord with the earthly responsibility for them, obeying the parents as if obeying the Lord himself. Verse 1 is focused on the action of obeying your parents, whereas verse 2 speaks of attitude that is the motive behind the action. When God gave His law in the Ten Commandments, this was the first law governing human relationships. Further, it was the only command of the 10 that relates to the family because this principle alone secures the family’s fulfillment.
So we clearly represent our family as well as God in our daily walk, as we are ambassadors for Him as well.
2 Corinthians 5:20 – Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We clearly serve as a representative, or messenger, for the King of heaven through His Gospel to bring people of the world to God. How we routinely represent ourselves in our interactions with others in our daily walk, with people who we often don’t know if they are believers or not, can go a long way toward helping them turn the corner toward God as their Savior.
Imagine the lifelong impact Pat had on her grandchildren by her regular reminders to them to stay alert and always realize that their actions would reflect on those they loved the most – their families and God. I will bet that those grandchildren will never forget that message, and will still hear it every time they think of their Nana …. and I’ll bet Nana is smiling today as she continues to see the impact she had on so many people for so many years. God is clearly saying to Pat today ….
Matthew 25:21 – … ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’
Note that Cindy and I will be out of town the next two weeks again visiting our beloved spot on Hilton Head Island. So I will not be able to send my TGIF message or church updates while gone, but will start up again in early February.