This was a living work: it was used as it was added to. When I met with the family to arrange Violet's funeral we talked about the choices she had made in her little book and how it gave words to what she wanted to say to her family both whilst she was alive and now that she has died. Sadly her son died only nine weeks ago so we know that she would have used this book to help give her comfort not so long ago herself. Some of the phrases she included were as follows:

a) Care for people: 'help the weak if you are strong, love the old if you are young, own a fault if you are wrong, if you are angry hold your tongue.'

b) Family: 'If you have family, home and friends, you've wealth on which all life depends. So say a prayer of thanks each day for all the joys that come your way.'

c) Priorities: 'When God measures someone He puts the tape round the heart not the head.'

d) God's love for us: 'We cannot go beyond God's reach or beyond His love and care, for we are all part of God and God is everywhere.'

e) Memories: 'I have a book of memories it's not upon the shelf, but deep within my heart and the key I keep myself. We share so much together, laughter, joy and tears, but to me who really loves you these are the happiest of years.'

f) Loss and grief 'God takes us one by one, and breaks the family chain but somewhere in a better land the chain will link again.'

g) And the family asked for this one especially to be read out 'Goodbye my family my life is past. I loved you all to the very last. Weep not for me but courage take. Love each other for my sake. For those you love don't go away, They walk beside you every day.'

Perhaps it is something that we might do to help us in times of need to give us comfort. It could be that when we think about the readings from scripture there may be particular words or phrases that give us wisdom and comfort. It might help you and other people to compile them in your own little book. I only say this because it struck me just how special one little book has been for one particular family.

And as the family of God as a whole we have our book of wisdom and comfort addressed to us from God Himself: the bible. If nothing else perhaps we can remember today to turn to scripture when we are in need of comfort and wisdom, in particular to the words of Christ himself.