In midst of sorrow a lesson for us all

In the midst of the recent tragedies in the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Mother Teresa one thing struck me. Particularly in the throngs of people found leading up to and including the funerals.

The crowds of people, not only in their respective countries, but around the world were overcome with grief. Millions of flowers were purchased, people stood for hours in long lines to commemorate and sign a piece of history. You could tell that communal grief was spontaneous and sincere.

Yet as I watched the drama unfold before me, I was struck by the realization that something was not quite right.

Please, don't misunderstand me, I don't belittle the life and accomplishments of both Diana and Mother Teresa. Both had a huge impact on their respective cultures and society.

Yet I believe we did both a tragic dishonor in our public display of grief. These individuals were loved primarily for their compassion towards others ... the unwanted, the unloved and the rejected.

Yet I could not help feel that it would be they themselves who would tell people to close the condolence books and spend the eight to 10 hours they would have spent standing in line to sign them ... to actually take that time and go out and help people.

Think of it! The hundreds of thousands of people who braved long hours merely to sign their name ... would use that time and make the world a better place! We could staff crisis pregnancy centers until eternity ... hospice would never need to call out for volunteers.

The unwanted and unloved in our society would benefit in ways never thought possible.

And the true legacy of Diana and Mother Teresa would live on. Just as they would have wanted it.

I'd like to think it could happen, but I won't hold my breath.

You see, we are a strange lot. Even Christians ... we will honor those who bravely stand for righteousness, pat on the back those who help those in distress ... as long as we don't have to get our hands dirty.

That cheque is really easy to write ... as long as it absolves us of any responsibility.

If the only legacy that Mother Teresa and Diana leave us are scores of "condolence books" and stacks of wilted flowers, then their lives, at least as far as we are concerned, were pointless. Because we learned nothing from them.

But if each and every one us of us pledges to go out and make a difference ... spend some time with someone unloved and unwanted, someone needing a touch, then we will have truly understood why God placed these two flowers on this earth ... and we will learn the lessons He wants to teach us when he took them away.

It's really very simple.

Myself, I'd much rather have my name in the Lamb's Book of Life, than in a dusty old condolence book.

Wouldn't you?

* * *

Another pro-life hero died this past month. Alone. Maurice Lewis was a quiet and unassuming sort of chap. Not the type you would expect to go out and "make a difference." But he did and he won. He beat the BC Government's bubble zone ... And only the work of a feminist judge who was not interested in logic and truth could overturn it. Maurice now lies with his parents in a cemetery in England and his soul now rests in the Hands of God.

His faith and his stand for truth are the legacy he leaves us.

Now go out, all of you, and do likewise.