Have you ever taken time to read epitaphs on tombstones? Some are very touching, while others can be downright funny. Here are some actual writings found on tombstones.

•  “Here lies the body of Margaret Bent. She kicked up her heels and away she went.”
•  “The children of Israel wanted bread and the Lord sent them manna; Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, and the devil sent him Anna.”
•  “They abounded in riches but she wore the britches.”
•  “On the 22^nd of June Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune.”

• “She always said her feet were killing her but nobody believed her.”
•  “I told you I was sick!”
•   “Here lies Ezekiel Aikle; Age 102; The Good Die Young.”
•  “Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, NY: Born 1903-Died 1942. Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was.”

What do you want written about you when your life on this earth is over?

This past Wednesday I attended the memorial service for a 94-year old woman in my church. I actually wrote a blog post about Madeline this summer and her ability to still recite Scripture at 94. That day was the last time I saw her on this earth. She went to be with her precious Lord and Savior early Monday morning.

Madeline is remembered for her love for Jesus and her joy that came from her relationship with Him. Madeline had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most loved person in the world. I would see her at church and she would grin and hug me and say, “Darling, I love you so much. And Jesus loves you. And I love Jesus.” Even her last words to me that day at the hospital were, “I love you so much.”

At her memorial service, she was honored and remembered for the way she touched peoples’ lives. We will miss “Miss Madeline.” I don’t know what is going to be written on her tombstone, but a fitting statement would be: She loves Jesus.

I’d like my tombstone to read, “She passionately pursued Jesus Christ all the way Home.”

How do you want to be remembered?  What do you want written on your tombstone?