Funeral for Shirley Oravetz

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

A few short weeks ago, Shirley was in the hospital with blood clots. Then she learned she had cancer. It turned out to be a very aggressive cancer. Shirley loved stories, so I told her a true story that I thought fit her new, difficult circumstances. It is the true story about the Clark family who were from Scotland, but they had dreamed of immigrating to America. In order to make their dream a reality, they scrimped, struggled and saved until, finally, the family was able to purchase tickets aboard a ship that would take them to a new life to a new land.

Then, as often happens to our well thought-out plans, seven days before they were to leave, the family’s youngest son was bitten by a dog. It wasn’t a bad bite, but it was enough for the local doctor to hang a “Quarantine” sign on the family’s door. You see, there was a chance – a small chance – the wee lad had contracted rabies.

The ship was to sail in one week, while the boy was shut away for two. The cold, hard fact was this: they were staying behind when the ship sailed. Mr. Clark did not do well with the bad news. He was frustrated with his innocent son and he was furious with God. His dark mood grew darker on the day the ship left harbor and it stayed that way until April 15th.

April 15th was the day they found out the ship they had booked passage upon, the Titanic, had gone down – and taken with her the lives of more than 1,500 passengers. Instantly, Mr. Clark’s attitude changed. The Titanic’s news had him hugging his son and thanking his Lord. They had been saved and tragedy was transformed to triumph.

It’s a true story, and one which I am afraid to say has been repeated in my life and probably yours as well. No, most of us haven’t booked passage on the Titanic, but we do make our plans – and we don’t like it when our plans fail or are foiled. Our business goes belly up. Our party gets poured on. We get transported from home to the hospital. Our car is in a collision. When our plans have to be scuttled, we can get downright cantankerous, lashing out at friends, family and the Lord.

Shirley did not do that. She understood God’s Word that says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. ⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). When I asked her how she was dealing with the news, she said, “I’m ready to go home to heaven. Of course, I hope they can cure me of the cancer and I can go back to my house. But, either way, I’m fine.”

Shirley had faith that home or heaven, cancer or cure, the Lord, whose ways and thoughts are far above us, is always going to do the right thing for His children. He who sent His Son into the world to be offered as our ransom is not about to pull any fast shenanigans. His love and grace are limitless and He can be trusted.  He will always do the right thing, sometimes the difficult thing or unpopular thing, but it is the best thing, the godly thing.

And why can we be confident that Jesus will always do the right thing? Because He is our Good Shepherd. Shirley loved the 23^rd Psalm. In fact, I read it to her on her deathbed last Wednesday morning. The very first verse gives the reason why Shirley loved this Psalm and could have such a quiet, calm faith even in the face of death. “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Many people want to be leading their own life. As they strive after numerous things, they look somewhat like a dog chasing its tail. They pursue money, possessions, popularity and many other things, but those things don’t give them any true peace and lasting fulfillment. They have no assurance. No confidence. No promise of a better life to come. They know what they want for themselves, but they miss what they need for a relationship with God.

Give thanks that we do not have to be part of this vain chase. We do not lead. Our Shepherd does, and His lead is always perfect and for our greatest benefit. He supplies everything we really need for our physical life. Most importantly, He gives us what we absolutely need for our souls: the forgiveness of sins which He provided by laying down His life for us – His precious lambs and sheep.

And Jesus, Shirley’s Good Shepherd, made sure that she was given precisely what she needed for her soul. She was brought into God’s flock through holy Baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church here in Racine. Her faith was fed with the Bread of Life and nourished with the Water of Life in God’s Word. Her soul was strengthened by Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. She received the Lord’s forgiveness in absolution and His blessing in His benediction. She was lifted up on Eagles’ Wings and hid herself in the Rock of Ages. In life, in death, she asked her Lord to abide with her.

Just think about the claim Jesus makes as our Good Shepherd. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep.” While I am ignored by an impersonal world, the Good Shepherd knows me personally. When I am rejected because of failure and disappointment, the Good Shepherd calls me His own. When my cries for help go unanswered, the Good Shepherd responds in the best way possible.

Our calm faith and quiet confidence comes from what Jesus did for us, and what He daily does for us. His work is all the proof we need. His obedient life, His willing death on the cross, His precious shed blood, His victorious resurrection – these are indisputable evidences that our Savior-Shepherd is there for us, and He will always be there. In fact, He gives us His Word: “I know you.”

Because of her bad back, Shirley wasn’t able to come to church. So for the past seven years, I would go to visit her to share a devotion and communion. Although we talked about a lot of things, Shirley really enjoyed talking about four subjects in particular – her beautiful home, her work at the library, her travel and her family. As much as she enjoyed her home with the arched doorway, the great woodwork and antique furniture, that has now been exchanged for a new mansion where she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

As much as she cherished books, she cherished even more that her name was written in God’s Book of Life. As much as she appreciated a lifetime of scenery, sights and sounds while traveling extensively in the U.S., Canada and Europe, now she will appreciate for an eternity the sights, scenery and sounds of green pastures, quiet waters, Jerusalem the Golden in paradise. As much as Shirley loved taking care of her ill father and loved especially having her grandchildren come over to visit and take care of her, she loves even more being surrounded by her new family – the saints and angels who are around the throne of God serving Him day and night in His temple.

Remember that when life gets difficult, Jesus our Good Shepherd knows what He’s doing. He is leading us through this life, then through the dark valley of the shadow of death and He will finally take us to His heavenly home. Nothing will harm us there. God’s goodness and love will be unending. And the best part is that since Jesus is your Good Shepherd now, you will dwell with your Good Shepherd forever. This was Shirley’s quiet confidence and it can be yours, too. Amen.