It seems like I have reached the age when I attend more funerals than weddings. This summer I have been to three funerals. The two first funerals were filled with gratitude and hope. The last one which I attended today was a kind of a strange experience to me. It was a relative of my wife that has passed away and as far as we know she was not a believer. The funeral was conducted in my old church from my childhood where I was confirmed and where I first saw a revival take place.

We arrived early and as we waited in the old log building my thoughts went back to my childhood when around 700 people or 10% of the population in our community turned to Christ during a revival that took place in this old wooden church building.I still remember the songs and the atmosphere at those meetings that went on nearly everyday for many months. I committed myself to the Lord every night I attended, – in my heart, but was never brave enough to walk forward to confess the name of Jesus.
Today I was attending a funeral that was very different from the two previous funerals I have attended this summer. The minister seemed to be a warm and caring person, but he was only able to give a nice remembrance speech on the deceased and her life. Her destiny was not touched on. The minister conducted the funeral well according to the common rituals and regulation for a state church funeral, but I felt something was missing.
However, attending funerals are better than attending  celebrations, says the Ecclesiastes, and I think he is right. Funerals are  times of reflection and contemplation. Funerals can help us think of eternity and our eternal destiny as well as how short this life really is.
Today I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his faithfulness towards me and my family. I am grateful beyond words because of His salvation and presence in my life.
I have attended three funerals recently but only one wedding. Our youngest daughter married this summer and it was a wonderful wedding celebration. I prefer weddings to funerals. One day there will be no more funerals as death has been swallowed by resurrection life and we share in the glory of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.