House of Hope Online

 

On Friday February 10, 2023 my family and I attended the funeral of my mother-in-law, Florence Davis, who died on February 6.  We had a wonderful celebration of life service, complete with worship music that she had requested be played, and the Spirit of the Lord was faithful to manifest in a sweet way to minister to us all.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak at the funeral, and to reflect on her life, and how it impacted me and our family in profound ways.  The Lord gave me a word and some scriptures to share with those who attended.  I hope this word and a peek into the life of Florence Davis will bless you.

Here is an audio version of my remarks, followed by the written text.

          I met Florence Davis in the summer of 1976, nearly 47 years ago in Philadelphia, PA.  I was less than a year removed from my college graduation, had a new job, and was dating her youngest daughter, Nancy, who was 21 at the time.  I was making my first visit to “meet the parents.”  But there were some things about me that Florence had to get over because Nancy had dragged into the house an Italian from the wrong side of the state who was a Pirates and Steelers fan and who really did not like the “Philadelphia Philthies” or the “Iggles.” Plus, I dressed kind of funny back then, a throwback to my college days.  My “go to” outfit was a pair of overalls with a cutoff tee-shirt underneath.  When I really wanted to impress, I wore white overalls.  I thought it was a good look but not everyone agreed.

            The Bible teaches us that we will know Christians by their fruit.  I know the fruit of Florence because I am married to Nancy, and I see every day the fine work of Florence.  I noticed at the very beginning that Nancy’s family had a special love for each other that was different than anything I had ever seen or been used to.  They really cared about each other.  They never talked behind each other’s back.  If they had an issue with you, they made it known and hashed it out.  That trait came down from the top, from Florence.  Florence was the matriarch, and that is what matriarchs do – they set the tone for the entire family’s attitude toward others. Today, I can see Florence’s fruit in my children and grandchildren.

            Florence was an ideal mother-in-law.  She never meddled in our marriage even though our marriage was very important to her.  She never overstepped her bounds but shared her experience with Nancy and me when necessary.  She attended my mother’s funeral and was a comforting presence to both of us.  I knew I still had a mother who cared about me.

            Florence grew up in a day when it was cool for women to fulfill God’s plan to be a helper for her husband, and she was all over that.  When Leighton died suddenly from a heart attack, I saw her go through a dramatic change, a transformation.  A day after the funeral, she woke all of us at 5 AM to announce that she heard Leighton’s voice say: “Florence, there is some laundry in the basement that needs dealt with.”  That was her way of telling us that Leighton’s death, while tragic, would not overwhelm her, that she would pick herself up and withstand the sorrow, and move on in love for her family.

            I saw a dramatic change in Florence thereafter.  The one who depended on her husband for all decisions became her own decision maker.  She filled her days helping others at the church.  Where she saw a need, she jumped in, no questions asked.  She helped her son Ken raise his children, Lauren and Nicky.  She was at our side in Indiana, PA to help us at the birth of our children.  She even got a speeding ticket on her way one time.  Funny, the woman who let her husband drive all the time got a speeding ticket because she could not wait to meet her grandson.

            Florence gave me my first Bible as a Christmas gift and wrote inside: “Presented to William Giuliani on this 25^th day of December.  May His wonderful words help you in your daily living.”  Best gift ever.

            The last few years have been difficult for Florence.  When she could no longer drive or live on her own in her Philadelphia apartment, she began to question why God did not just take her home.  She once told her pastor “Never get old like me.”  When he asked what is the alternative to getting old, she replied “Heaven.”  Florence could not wait to get to Heaven.  That is where she is today but not because of how good a person she was.  She was a good person, but she is in heaven only because she confessed with her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in her heart that God raised Him from the dead.  That is the only entrance exam for Heaven.

            In terms of women of the Bible, Florence was a Martha but became a Mary, at Jesus’ suggestion.  There is a passage of scripture from Luke 10:38-42 about two women, Martha and Mary.  Martha was hosting a visit from Jesus and His disciples, and her sister Mary was not helping Martha with all the preparations.  Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word.  Martha complained and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus said “…only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Florence underlined that verse in her Bible and wrote in the margin: “We should be a worshipper.”  Let us take Florence’s advice and be worshippers.

            It is sad for all of us to say goodbye to Florence, but the Bible tells us in 1^st Thessalonians 4 that we will see her again when Jesus comes back for us.

1^st Thessalonians 4:

 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.

 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

            To see Florence again, we must follow Romans 10:9-10, which says:

Romans 10:

 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

            Florence would love to see you all on that wonderful day. If you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, I encourage you today to ask Him into your heart, repent of your sin, and believe in your heart what the word of God says…that God raised Jesus from the dead so that we might live and reign with Him forever.  And meet up once again with Florence when Jesus comes for us.

Father God, thank you for the wonderful life of Florence Davis.  Help us to remember her kindness and her service to others. But help us more so to remember that she was a worshiper who confessed with her mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believed in her heart that You raised Him from the dead. In accordance with Your word, we look forward to being with her again together with Jesus forever. Amen.