November 15, 2010

At church once I heard a great quote: there are no pockets in funeral shrouds.

Most of us don’t know much about shrouds, me included. Our knowledge probably starts and ends with the Shroud of Turin, which holds what people says is the visage of Christ. But the quote is clearly more about the pockets than the shrouds.

We’ve always heard the phrase “You can’t take it with you.” So yes the quote says that in a unique way, one that harkens to mortality and links us more to Jesus. But what does that mean to me? What does it mean to you? What does it mean to the world?

To some that may mean money and goods, the very stuff of their life. True you will not bear riches with you on your final journey. We are not Egyptian Pharaohs buried forever with our “stuff”. But isn’t it just as much about what you know … what you can share beyond mere possessions or finances?

Do we take great opportunities to share time and talent, as much as treasure? We have great knowledge at any age … do we use it to best advantage? How can we give away things that could easily stay “in our pockets” but could benefit someone else?

Blogs are one way today that people share, me now included. It’s a new and modern way to open a window on my soul, however that window gets opened and inspired. Justin shares his endurance dreams but there is more there than mere race plans … there is challenge and commitment, dedication and sacrifice. Alyson shares her foreign adventures, though not so often as she and we would like. The Cella family connects, again not so often as all would like. But the truth is that any posting is a revelation, a gift you transfer from your pocket to the world, however that world is defined.

Not to get too deep here, but a tree that falls in the forest has still fallen, even if no one has heard it. We know because the tree will be found some day. What are we sharing or leaving for others to find? It would be a shame to have kept too many gifts safely hidden in pockets, if they can benefit people we know.

Sharing is living. Giving is living. Giving back is really living. Fill your pockets with both talent and treasure, but to a greater purpose that you may live knowing you did your part.