What will we be remembered for? Truth or Lies?

The top story, lead story, headline story of the Victoria Advocate on Saturday, February 21, 2015 was all about a lay pastor in Goliad. He was the pastor of Fannin Street United Methodist Church. He died at 55, but packed a lot of years and love into those short 55. He died doing what he loved best, preaching; he was eulogizing a church member at her funeral when he died of a heart attack. The story shared how his sister felt the need to cancel a work-related appointment to be with her brother at that funeral. A decision she will never regret. Darryl Edwards was a loving, caring individual, and those who packed First Baptist Church, the largest church in Goliad, shared and heard all about a life lived well.

The top obituary for the Sunday New York Times was about a man who lived a lie. The headline has "Herman Rosenblat, 85; Made Up Holocaust Love Story." The man told the story of being a starving child in a Holocaust camp and how this little girl came to the fence nearest the camp and tossed an apple his way to keep him from starving. Years later he embellished the story by saying this little girl came every day for a week and tossed apples during that time. But, his story goes on to say, that little girl years later was his blind date in New York City, and he recognized her. They married and he wrote a story about their romance. Only it wasn't true. Recently, we've heard about Brian Williams lying about his battle exploits, and now Bill O'Reilly, also made up stories of being on the ground during the Falkland Islands battle, and his photographer being wounded and him dragging to safety enduring bullets being fired in his direction. When Osama bin Laden was killed, the number of Navy Seals increased overnight, including some clergy who said they had been Navy Seals during their time of service. After 9/11, the number of heroes and victims also increased; usually for honor or profit.

We all have our lives and stories from those lives. The best stories are those that are true and that give witness to God's presence and involvement in them. Darryl gave of himself and all that he had. Herman tried to get all he could for himself.

What about you?