O Death, Where Is Your Sting?

On February 14, 2012, my dear sweet Aunt Frances LaJune Powell passed away. At first it was hard to believe that she would no longer be with us physically, but today, February 25, 2012 when the casket closed and she was finally laid to rest, it sank down deep inside, and in the midst of my melancholy feelings, I asked the old age question, “O Death, where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55.

You see, my Aunt June was an easygoing person who enjoyed many friendships, and was held in high esteem. She was the best role model a niece could ever have. She can best be described by the following attributes, wise, generous, kind, cheerful giver, great thinker, educator, professor, historian…and the list goes on. In addition, she loved to travel, and her journeys took her to most of the world’s continents and islands. Let me highlight a few which include China, Senegal, the Gambia and Kenya. There are many more deeds and accomplishments I could write about, but it would take volumes to contain them all. In short, she was a Godsend; indeed one of God’s helpers to help lead the way.

During my Aunt’s home-going service, she was described as “Lady Wisdom”. Oh, how this name truly captures how she is viewed by many. Proverbs 9:1-6 reads, “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has furnished her table. She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.  Well, this scripture really sums up my Aunt’s life. Yes, “Lady Wisdom” had built her house, hewn out seven pillars….cried out from the highest places of the city, and wanted nothing more than to give selflessly to others, and for many years, she was a cheerful giver to a program called SOME (So Others Might Eat), which I will now carry the torch.

In closing, the Christian teaching on death is that it is not the end of life, but that there is a resurrection and a judgment, and the life of the Christian believer will continue for eternity. Hence, by continuing to help the needy, giving to the poor, supporting education and fostering learning in others, I am continuing in her footsteps.  Therefore, while, she may no longer be here physically, HER LEGACY LIVES ON IN ME, so, “O Death, where is your sting?” Shalom!

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