Funeral Dinners

The last two weeks we have had funeral dinners at Highpointe. That in itself is not remarkable. Any time you are part of a sizable community of believers, there will times when there are funerals. What has happened, however, is that I am looking at funeral dinners in a different light. I believe funeral dinners are a vital part of living in community with other believers. I believe this for several reasons:
1. The dinners allow members of the congregation to follow through on their "if there's anything I can do" promise. Making something and bringing it to the dinner sends a simple but powerful message saying "I care". Most of us are not gifted with the perfect phrase to express our sympathy or condolence, but can bring some food. That tangible act of service shows the grieving family that they are not in this struggle alone.
2. Food is a significant gift for the following reason; eating establishes a new beginning. The act of eating shows tangible evidence of the desire to continue in life. Eating is fundamental for life to continue, and the funeral dinner is a powerful recognition that even though the pain and sorrow are unbearable at the moment, life will continue, and the food brought by friends gives opportunity to fuel this continuing life. It symbolizes hope for a better day ahead.
3. Every funeral dinner I have attended has been accompanied with laughter and stories and this is healthy and good. It is a recognition that there will be laughter in the future, and no one need feel guilty at a future moment when the grieving person has a moment of enjoyment. Although the pain and the loss will be permanent, life can be embraced and enjoyed again at some point without being disloyal to the memory of the deceased.
So if you are called upon in the coming weeks to prepare something for a funeral dinner, see it as an opportunity to perform a powerful restoring ministry in the life of the bereaved. It is pure ministry.