January 26, 2013, 2:00 PM
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we read
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
These few verses capture the heart of passing the faith to the next generations. We love God with everything we know how and especially deep down in our hearts. And as the result of the fact that we know this by memory, we are able to recite this truth to our children all the time. We are so enthusiastic about this that we post it all over ourselves and in our houses.
When I think about Donna Quan, this passage came to mind. She passed down to you life’s teachings. You shared that Donna taught you about attentive listening and caring for others by the fact that she was a confidant to many. David knows how to cook and take care of himself because he has learned from his mother, Donna, one of the best. Matt knows how to lead and organize because he has watched how his mother managed their home efficiently. Both of you have become sensitive and caring people because your mother passed these wonderful qualities of “tender-loving care” to you. Richard knows how to be less serious and to take time to enjoy the outdoors and the good life that God offers and now he will live up to her license plate that reads, “joie vie,” the joy of life. Donna recited these wonderful things to you and now you have them in your hearts.
Our memories of Donna Quan will continue to be an important and significant part of your lives as long as you continue to remember. What you have learned from her will continue to guide you and lead you to making good decisions in life. And you will undoubtedly discover that you will find yourself saying, “Donna would have said this” or “Mom would like this.” When this happens, give thanks to God for having the gift of knowing Donna Quan in this life.
God has blessed all of us with more living to do because in Christ, we see that God loves us and gave his life for us so that we may have everlasting life. David still has classes to attend. Matt is getting ready to return to Boston. Richard, the fish in the rivers are waiting for you. May you welcome tomorrow with the same zest for life that you had before because it is the only way to pass this wonderful truth of loving God with all your heart, soul, and might to the next generation.
Committal Service
Jesus said:
I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)
Do not be afraid: I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead and see, I am alive forever and ever. (Rev. 1:17-18)
And from John, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we commend to God’s merciful care our sister, Donna Jew Quan; and we commit her remains to this resting place: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
“Blessed are the dead who…die in the Lord…They will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” (Revelations 14:13)
Let us pray.
God our Maker, you made our sister, Donna Jew Quan, in your own image; you set her feet on a sojourner adventure; you watched over her along the way. As you lovingly received and welcomed her to the ranks of the redeemed, we pray that you would continue to guide our sojourner steps so that, at the appointed time, we might join Donna Quan in the communion of saints—forgiven, transformed, and fit for our new life with the Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Put items in the vault.
Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen. Go in peace.