Marion Sumpter

John 14:3

We gathered on August 28, 2009, at 10:00 AM to remember the life and death of Marion Sumpter. Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church was the location of our worship service. People came in compassion for Marion, who believed Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. The service, while speaking to the living, was held due to Marion and God.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 acknowledges that "dust (the body) returns to the ground, and the soul (breath) returns to the God, who gave it." We came in realizing the death of Marion's body, yet recognizing that "though she died, yet shall she live." This is stated because the human body met the cessation of life, but her soul was believed to be acceptable to the Infinite One - God.

While this truth may bring an image of life beyond death, it does not end grief felt given the lost of human life. What are we to do in response to death and dying? Here are four recommendations:

1. Communicate with ears of compassion. God hears prayers. By faith we embrace this divine blessing. In addition, human beings yearn for the compassionate ears of friends, relatives, associates, and others to listen with love and without unnecessary advice. Pure love of hearing in good times and in bad times. Death may be one of the worst times, even when loved ones appeared ready to die and cross over the threshold of eternity. Compassionate communication requires the art of listening to grief in others.
2. Respectful closeness with the touch of love. God's love is comforting. Seek the comfort of God through supportive and respectful people. Human touch offered in the right manner eases pain. Void of abuse. Void of persons entering the space of vulnerability. The touch of empathy may be assuring ... A touch that speaks volumes about care gives meaning in silent voice. Reaching out with touch in times of grief may yield empathetic love at its best.
3. Allow time to cry. Crying does not have to be bad. It may be healthy to cry in the safety of empathetic people. When crying without shame or undo stress, monitor the grief process in the comfort zone of persons who care.
4. Accept the reality of time. All things in time. Ecclesiastes gives a summary to time in the third chapter of the Old Testament text. It reveals a time to be born, a time to love, a time to plant, a time to sew, a time to build up, a time to war, a time to die ... a time of peace, a time to weep ... a time to mourn, a time to embrace ... a time to laugh ... a time to dance.

In waiting, we have and do not have. We have the assurance of eternal life, while we await the time of crossing over the way of death. Our time will come. When death comes, may life continue with God.

Marion Sumpter was remembered. May we be remembered ... too.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and remember us, when death comes, and life continues. Amen.