My brother-in-law passed away about a month ago. He died suddenly and unexpectedly. My husband and I flew back to Chicago for the funeral and to hopefully bring a little comfort for my sister-in-law, niece and nephews. All during the many activities that go along with death and laying someone to rest one thought kept going through my mind. They finished the race. They finished their marriage and completed their vows.
As I observed my sister-in-law I realized that she was not only faithful in his life, she was also faithful in his death. I watched as she stood for 6 hours at the wake, getting hugs from people she knew and loved and those she did not know, but who knew her husband. She was a gracious hostess, sharing stories of her husband and introducing strangers to their 3 children. She was exhausted at the end of the wake, both physically and emotionally. She carried out her husbands wishes concerning his funeral and the way he wanted to be buried, even though her mother-in-law did not understand.
Just like life, marriages eventually end. Some end in divorce and others end in death. Eventually they all end. My brother-in-laws death is not a celebration, but I think the fact that he and my sister-in-law kept their vows and completed the marriage is a heritage their 3 children will treasure in years to come. They finished the race, they kept their vows.
2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
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