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Hope and hilarity
By Chuck Terrill
Last Updated: January 26, 2017

You can't take it with you

Funeral protocol demands that the pastor stand at the head of the casket at the end of a service. The pastor is very close as people pass by. So, a pastor is in position to see, and overhear, as the bereaved pay their final respects.

In 1992, I presided at the funeral of a biker I will call Bill. Bill took his own life. I met with his mom to prepare for the service, and there were many heartwarming stories of Bill as a child. But he made some wrong turns, and just kept riding in the wrong direction. 

When I arrived at the funeral home, the parking lot was filled with Harleys. There were a few family members in attendance, but the majority present were Bill's running buddies. They were dressed like Bill was dressed — black leather vests, blue jeans and black leather chaps. When the time came, the friends were ushered by Bill's casket first.

I was amazed at what I saw as I stood at the head of the casket. Many of Bill's friends put items in the casket with him. A half-pint of Jack Daniels was placed under his hand. A man tucked a pornographic magazine in next to Bill. A baggie of what I assumed to be marijuana was deposited. A few dollars went in. A bag of potato chips. Someone put sunglasses on Bill.

I could hardly believe it. I decided that they must be paying tribute to Bill by giving him some of his favorite things. I felt bad for Bill's grieving mom, who was the last to view. Her last memory would be that of her son, surrounded by the filth of the world. 

Bill's biker buddies may have wished that their gifts would be of some comfort to Bill in the afterlife. I am sure that all were aware of the statement "You can't take it with you," but they chose to try to defy that rule. Bill couldn't take any of their gifts with him.

We won't take anything with us, either.  

Bill, and someday I, will go to a designated place for all eternity. The only thing that we will take with us is our testimony of faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. I pray that Bill made that testimony of faith. I'd like to meet him, come to know him, and love him, on the God side of eternity. 

Jesus said, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:26)

Chuck Terrill is pastor of Valley Center Christian Church. Reach him at chuck@valleycenterchristianchurch.org or 755-1233.




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