"Lives Well Lived"

What a blessing it was today to attend the funeral of a husband and wife who passed away just 48 hours apart last week.  He was 89 and she was just short of her 88th birthday.  Our lives intersected during the nineteen years they served in a leadership position for the Assemblies of God in North Dakota, he as District Superintendent and she as his faithful helpmate.  Often they would travel the state, visiting the local churches and offering encouragement to the pastors and congregations alike.  Memories of them always include friendly smiles and a genuine interest in those they connected with.

Although I had little connection with their family in the past, it was amazing to see them come together and present a final tribute to the ones who started the legacy which will continue many years into the future.  With tremendous musical talents and times of sharing, the five children plus their families pulled together during a time of loss and left those of us attending with a wonderful overview of these two lives devoted to service in God's kingdom work.

Several pastors and representatives from the Bible College he once attended also participated and some of the words used to describe the couple included:

          -warm, witty and fun

          -could talk about Jesus like most people talk about the weather

          -home grown North Dakotan

          -salt and light

          -able to relate to anyone

          -called to share the light of Jesus

          -loved the ministry and all it involves

One person who had been asked to participate was unable to attend, but sent a tribute revolving around these things which were a part of the couple's legacy:

          L for Love

          E for Encouragement

          G for Gifts

          A for Action

          C for Compassion

          Y for YOU! [The ones they loved and prayed for to bring glory to their Savior]

It was especially touching to hear the memories shared and beautiful songs performed by family members.  You could certainly feel the great love they had for each other and there was no doubt the legacy left behind would be continuing on into future generations!

It seemed most fitting to end the service singing, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and you can bet there was another message being relayed in the heavenlies as Jesus greeted them. . . "Well done, thou good and faithful servants!"

[written in loving tribute to Marcus and Elva Mae Bakke]