In Memoriam: Amy Beth Dunmire - Matthew 19:14-23

Matthew 19:14-23

For [the kingdom of heaven] is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” (NRSV)

 

 

Apollo Relay for Life - June 8, 2019

 

I’ve always struggled with the Parable of the Talents—because it’s quite a feat to make ten talents out of five. Success doesn’t always come easily.

 

But when I think about Amy, I see this parable in a whole new light.

 

Amy had a real talent for service.

 

To call her a pillar of this church would be an understatement. She was active in just about everything—Sunday school, youth group, vacation bible school, Relay for Life, and the clothing closet. She helped to launch our outdoor food pantry, right at the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

And it wasn’t just here at church that she served. She was tireless supporter of Amanda and Ashley’s school activities. She was a dedicated supporter of the fire department. And she was a champion of the poor and needy in our community.

 

Even though her illness consumed a great deal of her strength and energy, she still came out and gave all that she had. Serving and doing for others is what made her life meaningful—and kept her going.

 

Amy lived for others. But her cancer progressed, and as it became difficult for her to get around, her inability to serve took a real toll on her. She was especially devastated that she could not be there and do everything she wanted to do for you, her family. Amy wanted to give you everything in the world she could give. She wanted to watch Mason and her second grandson grow up. She wanted to be there for you, through good times and bad. And, she wanted to keep sharing the love of Jesus.

 

This is why she fought so hard against her cancer. This is why she kept on going when the going got tough. She had so much more love to give.

 

What’s heartbreaking is that Amy never seemed to catch a break. The cancer just kept coming. The losses and setbacks just kept coming. Two months ago today, we laid her dad to rest. It simply isn’t fair that someone so full of love and faith could suffer what she suffered. It is not well with our souls that she is gone from our lives so soon.

 

Nevertheless, we gather before the cross of Jesus—with all of our disappointments, all our doubts, all our frustrations, all our questions. I wish I could tell you the reason why she went through what she went through, and why you must live without her. I don’t know the reason, or even if there is a reason. What we do know is that Jesus shares in the pain of your loss. He’s grieving, too. It is because God’s children suffer and die that Jesus took on human flesh and walked this earth with us. This is why Jesus handed himself over to death on a cross. Jesus went into the grave ahead of Amy, so that just as she is buried with him by baptism into death, she may also rise with him at the resurrection of all things. Death does not have the last word over her. Cancer does not have the last word over her. Jesus has the last word over her—and his Word is life.

 

As you look ahead to life as you never imagined it to be, Jesus will be going into the future with you—so that your future will not be defined by this loss, or by any sin or suffering. If you are doubting God or if you are angry with God for the loss you’ve suffered, you are not forsaken. You are loved. Jesus is with you in this moment, so that even in death, you will be lifted by the power of his love into healing and life renewed. Cling to Jesus, and you have already passed over from death into life. Though you hurt now, you will heal. You will have joy and life again.

 

It was God who gave Amy the strength by which she inspired so many; it was God who gave Amy the love that uplifted so many. And it was God who worked through you, and so many others, to love and encourage her when she struggled to keep going. Even though there was nothing you could do to keep this day from coming to pass, you gave her your all—just like she gave you her all. The blessings you gave—and the blessings you received from Amy will endure for eternity.

 

Amy will live on in the love you share with each other, and with the world. Keep doing everything you enjoyed doing when she was here. Make sure Mason, along with her grandson-to-be, and all future generations know who she was and how she lived. Treasure her memory so that you and others may be inspired to faith and godly living.

 

Amy received God’s love and never stopped giving. She may be gone in presence, but she is not gone in spirit. Know that she is praying for you, together with Pat and Virginia, David, and all who’ve gone before you. And you will see her again.

 

Life is a journey—and we know not what where the journey will lead us tomorrow, but we know our destination.  And we know we’re not alone.  The sorrows of today will last only for a moment, but the joy of the Lord is forever.