One thing about it. The fellow laying beneath this tombstone wasn't kidding, was he? I've seen some pretty hilarious epitaphs written on tombstones over the years. Here are some of my favorites.
From North Carolina comes this one . . .
Come blooming youths, as you pass by ,
And on these lines do cast an eye.
As you are now, so once was I;
As I am now, so must you be;
Prepare for death and follow me.
And on these lines do cast an eye.
As you are now, so once was I;
As I am now, so must you be;
Prepare for death and follow me.
That's not too funny until you read what someone wrote underneath it . . .
To follow you
I am not content,
I am not content,
How do I know
Which way you went.
Which way you went.
I particularly like these "classics" from the Old West . . .
Here lies Lester Moore.
Four slugs
From a forty-four.
No Les
No More.
He was young
He was fair
But the Injuns
Raised his hair
Bill Blake
Was hanged by mistake.
Here lays Butch.
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger
But slow on the draw.
We get a pretty good chuckle out of these humorous sayings. It makes you wonder, however, about what someone will one day write on a piece of marble or granite about you. I'm convinced there's no sadder epitaph that could be written than the words of James 4:2, "You do not have because you do not ask..."
God has a table of spiritual delicacies just waiting for our consumption. He longs to share his blessings with us and invites us to pull our chair up to the table and feast heartily. How do we do this? Through the simple yet profound act of prayer. The writer of Hebrews tells us that because of what Jesus has done you and I have the splendid opportunity to come "boldly before the throne of grace to obtain help in our time of need" (Heb. 4:15-16).
Jesus said it like this... "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" (Mt. 7:7-8). Why not stop everything you're doing right now for just a moment. Stop and pray. Thank God for His blessings. Tell Him you love Him. Ask Him to provide guidance in your life.
The saddest epitaph - "You do not have because you do not ask" . . . oh yes, how sad.
That's THE WAY I SEE IT.
