Obituary

Obituary

This last week, I’ve sat through several funerals or celebrations of life. It is interesting what people get up and say about their parents, friends, or acquaintances. I was thinking, sitting through yesterday’s event, what will they say about me? There are many things I hope they don’t say, which are probably valid but maybe worth forgetting. What have I done in my life, or am I doing in my life that’s worth telling the community?

In my faith, I believe that I should glorify God every day. Now, many of you think differently and have different reasons for doing good things, but wouldn’t it be good if we all got up every day thinking we are going to do something positive for the world? 

Tomorrow, I’m taking a plane to Papua to visit 4 of the schools we support worldwide. The plane ride is tedious, 42 hours from when I step out of my front door until we land in the jungles of Papua. Five airplanes, four layovers, connections, customs. It is painful. But I believe what we’re doing for those 70 staff and 300 students is worth it. But then I must come back! So, changing the world isn’t always fun; it can be challenging, but is it worth doing? I don’t do it, so someone has something to say at my death. I do it because I truly believe I should glorify God every day. 

There are many ways we can do positive things for the world with our time, effort, or money, if that’s appropriate. We are all called to different causes and purposes, but I hope we are all called to make the world a better place. 

How great would the world be if every person in the world got up to serve others and make the world a better place every day? I believe that the reason we are here is to serve others. So, how can we positively affect the world we live in today and tomorrow? If we just try a little bit, no matter how small a change we make, it would be good if the world was a little bit better because of us today. 

So, when we sit down and write your obituary, I hope we have things to say about how you changed the world, your community, or your family on a positive note. 

I hope they have something good to say about my being on this earth and that I was a change factor in some small way, in some small part, to my family, community, church, and the world.

Sincerely,

WAYNE VON BORSTEL, CFP®, CKA®, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing.