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Eulogy


Our Church has hosted many funerals in the short time that I have been here. In fact, we have another one this weekend that the Pastor is leading. That has gotten me to thinking, especially since I have been able to stand in the background to “see and hear” all that goes on during a funeral service. I must admit (to no surprise) there is a trend!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it is safe to say that if you REALLY wanted to hear how much someone was loved, appreciated and admired, you would have to attend their funeral! When you go to a funeral, you normally hear all these amazing and wonderful things about the person who is now gone. The bulk of these amazing words comes in what is referred to as “the eulogy.”

Why do we wait until the funeral to say all the things that we should have said to them when they were alive? Why do we have such a backwards understanding of what a eulogy is in the first place? How did our society ever become comfortable with associating "eulogy" as "those nice things you say about the deceased at their funeral service?"

Ask any person on the street to define "eulogy" and I'll bet you they will automatically start mentioning things associated with a funeral. Let's first start by defining the word eulogy. The word "eulogy" is derived from the two Greek words "speak" and "well." We also derive our English word "bless" from the combination of the two Greek words.

However, the more accurate and literally English translation of the two words "speak" and "well" is the word (you guessed it) EULOGY. A eulogy is taking the time to bless someone by speaking well of them while they are still alive to hear it!

Proverbs 16:24, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Wouldn't this world be even better than it is today if we would ponder the true meaning of "eulogy" and figure out some way to at least say one or two nice things about the people we come into contact with on a daily basis? What uplifting and encouraging compliments can you think of to say to someone today...tomorrow? Do it soon...and by all means...don't wait until the funeral!!

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