What Do I Believe?

I went to a memorial service today.  I had met the deceased, and knew a couple of the family members through professional associations, one family member for more than 30 years. The memorial service was  a most interesting experience.  Many of the family members were bright, smiling and laughing as they talked about the deceased.

In the memorial service,  it was repeated that the deceased did not want people to be sad, but to rejoice at his life, and celebrate.  There was music. And good stories. There was a song with hands held in fellowship.  The celebration was a statement of the man's faith of a life hereafter.

The deceased had told his family he wanted a brass band to play at his memorial service.  We left the chapel to the strains of a brass band playing "When the Saints Go Marching In."  This would be considered unusual for a Bible Belt Church of Christ ceremony. Not so unusual for a funeral in New Orleans!  The family held it together, but you could see the strains of emotion in their faces as they left the chapel. They are such wonderfully brave people. And, they rejoiced in their faith.

So what do I believe? 

I believe that when I die, there will not be a need for a ceremony.  Who will be there? I have no family in Lubbock.  My friends are scattered. My life is celebrated in its living. No need to mark its dying.

I believe that the work I do every day is a testimonial to my belief in mankind.  I believe there are no "throw away" people.  I believe everyone deserves more than one chance.  I believe that some of the worst behaving people have redeeming qualities, and just want some one to reach out to them, so they can change some things in their lives, even if they can not be really good.

I believe, that as a social worker, I plant seeds. I do not expect major or drastic changes in my clients. But I believe that I leave something good behind, after my interaction with a client.

I do not know what the hereafter entails, but I believe that there is a hereafter, and it is an elevation of this life.

I believe that there is a Supreme Being that has molded and created the here and now, and will be present to me in the hereafter.  I do not know how, but I do believe.