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As part of our company, we run a contract mowing and lawn care service (for lack of a better title). Several township and church cemeteries have been contracted to us this year and now exist as part of our weekly mowing routes. Lately, I have spent a significant amount of time each week mowing and trimming these particular cemeteries and gravesites.
Throughout this time, I have had many opportunities to think about people's lives and the path that took them to those very graves that I weed-whack the grass on every week. On one distinct occasion, I remember seeing a Super Bowl XLV plaque leaned up against a gravestone declaring that the Green Bay Packers are the new world champions. Usually when something like this is displayed, it is among various other items. But in this instance - A Packer XLV championship plaque was the only thing that had been placed by the gravestone.
At first, such a thing seems casually normal.
"This person must have been been a huge Packer fan. Whoever put this plaque against his headstone must have known how much a Super Bowl Title would have meant to him."
However, a different hue appears depending on the our perspective of the grave decoration.
In explanation, here's the big thing that stood out to me from this gravesite:
This man was intensely passionate about the Packers.
It is what he was known by his friends and families for (as proven by the Packer memorabilia). It's one of the things that was hugely significant in his life - Something he probably dedicated a lot of time to, watching their games, cheering them on, and conversing about with other people.
The Packers, and his passion for them, is what this man was [and is] known for.
I am not saying that there is anything inherently wrong about being a Packer fan of the highest degree and being known for that fan-hood. By writing this, I am, instead, trying to encourage thought concerning our passions, dedications, and pursuits as individuals - What we do with our lives, and how significant our actions will be years after we have died.
It's no strain to say that we are all terminally sick. Mere mortality binds us for an inevitable death, one which can only be accelerated or delayed. Regardless of when the time comes, we will all "pass away".
So I ask you - What do you want to be remembered for?
For being a Packer fan? A state-championship winning athlete?
A great Dad and a loving husband?
After you've asked yourself that, also consider what you do with your life that will truly have a lasting impact; Something of significance that doesn't fade, tarnish, or decay.
We know that the Green Bay Packers have not and will not exist forever,
so what do you dedicate your passion to that really matters?
The only thing that matters is being a Christian and doing one's best to be true in that regard. Everything else will pass away with time.
Incidentally, I recently saw a tombstone in the city cemetery of Ft Payne, Alabama. Ft Payne is a huge center for the manufacture of socks. The epitaph read as follows "He sure could fix a knitting machine".
I agree with what Lombardi said. God, your family and the Green Bay Packers. In that order.
On top of just "being a Christian," I want to be known for following God's calling in my life, whatever that may be, and being a loving husband and an upright man.
Finally, I wouldn't mind being known for being an eloquent but real writer, and a talented mountain biker... but maybe those are things that God has called me to, too?
Life is such a complicated thing, 5 years down the road my life could be totally different, so who knows?
Gregory, AJ and Kaitlynn. You all have a passionate , pure, heart for God.
You have never doubted His faithfulness to you , even in extreme circumstances and have clung to Him, knowing He will never fail you and He loves you with an everlasting and unchanging , life-giving love.
That , my dears , speaks volumes.
memore
Be true to Him, true to yourself, and true to the woman you promised yourself to.
and you will never regret or question another move.
memore