In his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” Covey tells a story about a man who finds himself at a Memorial Service, looks in the casket, sees himself, and realizes that he has died and the service is for him. He listens to what people say about him during the service and during the fellowship time after the service. Covey asks, “What would you like to hear people say as they remembered the life you lived? His principle is that effective people live their lives with the end in mind; they live their lives with purpose.

Today was the memorial service for Aaron Donahue. It was a long service because many people shared about Aaron and his life, and it was packed with people who knew and loved him. Obviously, Aaron Donahue lived his life well and loved and served other people sacrificially. Even though it was a sad time because he will be missed, it was also a very joyous, upbeat celebration of the life of a man who lived and finished his life well even though he was only 41 years old when he died.

It is sad to think of the number of people who aren’t living their lives well, who are selfish, who make one bad choice after another, and whose love doesn’t go beyond themselves.

In our world of messed-up people and the daily bad news of the wrangling and fighting going on everywhere, a gathering like today’s was incredibly refreshing.