“Well done, good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord”. Matthew 25:23

This past week was a lesson of how each of us impacts other people’s lives. When I attended the funeral for a dear friend, R. H. Hale the question was asked how many of us were on the receiving end of his famous bread. For years R.H. made and delivered bread to people who were ill or had lost a loved one. He was also known for the cinnamon rolls he made for so many events. However, R. H. was known for more who he was rather than what he did.

R.H. was a wonderful role model to children during his many years as first a teacher and then as a principal. Although I didn’t know him during those years, several people told me that he was very effective in those positions. Others knew it too when he was named New Mexico Outstanding Elementary New Mexico School Administrator.

I first met R.H. in 1984 and was struck by how efficient he was, but I soon learned there was much more to learn. Most of all was his dedication to the Lord. There is an old saying that says to the effect that it is

easy to talk the talk, but more difficult to walk the walk. R.H. was one of those people who not only talked about being a Christian, but followed it up by sharing his faith not only at home, but also far away in Brazil

and the Philippines.

With so many marriages in trouble, it was refreshing to watch R.H. with his “bride” Shirley. You could see the love between those two in not only the words they spoke, but also by the gentle and respectful way they

treated each other. R.H. often said he wanted to live long enough to take care of Shirley and he did for 64 years. R.H. and Shirley lived and showed others what marriage can be by their example instead of their words.

No one lives a perfect life and I am sure if he were here, R. H. would agree with me. However, he tried to live his life by putting the Lord first in his life which resulted in other things following. All of us will

make some mistakes in our lives, but for Christians we long to hear those words, “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Have you ever wondered what will be said about you at your funeral service? Will people remember you fondly as a person who lived a life pleasing to the Lord? Unfortunately I have attended some funerals where it

was difficult to find something positive to say about the deceased person.

Of course we shouldn’t live as though it were some sort of a popularity contest so everyone will love or at least like us. Instead, let us strive to do God’s will and maybe when we breathe our last we will hear those

precious words: “well done”.