This past Saturday, I participated in a beautiful celebration of life of Mrs. Charlotte Kirkland.  God allowed this funeral to remind me of what I desire most for my church and my ministry.  

Charlotte Kirkland was born in Benjamin, Texas on September 22, 1928.  She spent her childhood years in the Lone Star State.  She graduated from Harlingen High School in 1946.  She moved to Dallas to work for BF Goodrich where she met her husband Joseph Brackin Kirkland Jr.  She was married on February 26, 1953.  Through the years she lived in Texas, Ohio, Mississippi, and retired in Chesapeke, Virginia.  She was ran three different businesses: Charlotte’s Flowers, My Shoppe, and Hallmark.  She had two children: Karen and Joe, five grandchildren: Ashley & Tim, Cortney, Taylor, Brackin, one great grandchild, Forrest.  Charlotte was a beautiful lady, full of life, laughter, and a sparkle in her eye.  She embodied joy, excitement, and creativity.  She was a dreamer! 

In the Bible, Joseph was known as a dreamer.  Although he had the favor of his father, he was rejected by his family and sold for silver.  He was falsely accused and punished, but later he was elevated to a prominent throne after years of suffering.  Joseph saved his people (Does this story sound familiar) 

“Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family.  He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation…and joseph made his brothers swear an oath and said, God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.  So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.  And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.” Genesis 50:22-26 

See Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32.

• Joseph understood his earlier dreams weren’t about him, although they included him.
• Joseph chose to live forward instead of living backward.
• Joseph understood that God was telling a bigger story 

*So did Charlotte! 

   Several thousand years later, the writer in Hebrews shares this thought about Joseph in recording him in the ‘Hall of Faith’, “By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.” Hebrews 11:22

The one act that Joseph is remembered for was his courageous instruction about his bones.  He wasn’t concerned about his own personal memory.  He was more concerned about God’s legacy.  He wanted to lead the people forward! 

After my sermon at Charlotte Kirkland’s funeral, all five of Charlotte’s grandkids (plus one spouse) came up to play and sing How Great Thou Art. 

Whether you believe in Jesus, the Bible, the church, or faith, you cannot argue about the effect this amazing woman has had upon her family.  She has raised two kids who love and follow Jesus.  They turned around and raised five children to do the same.  As they sang the words of that classic hymn, it gave me a picture of the God’s dream upon Charlotte Kirkland.  Life Joseph, she realized she was a part of a bigger story.  Her life was about Jesus.  And as a result, she left a legacy! 

Today at 2:00pm, Charlotte Kirkland will be laid to rest near Leander, Texas.  Tuesday would have marked 81 years of her life here on earth.  May we remember her today as we ask ourselves these three questions.

1. What will become of your bones?

2. Have you awakened to the greater dream?

3. What will be your legacy?