Famous Last Words, Yours and Mine

A friend of mine shared, some years back, something along this line: “Don’t go to the grave with a book of knowledge left unsaid. Write a book.” Most will never do this, but we are often found to be in positions where everyone wants to know what we could say if we were to speak. So, if you had a single thought you felt was so critical, you had to share, and you must do it now. What would that thought be?

Of course, it’s all about context and timing, situational perspective, but we all have inside voices yearning to share a bit of wisdom. I’m not talking about a “reveal all”, rather, something that sums up your views, or paints a picture of love. It’s not sappy sweet unless that’s who you are. It’s something empowering. Sacred. Special.

From both sides of the situation, let me put it to you like this.

It’s death bed quiet. The family has gathered—final farewells.
Suddenly, you have something you must tell everyone before the last breath is breathed.
What would you say?
We all wait with bated breath. You could impact everyone the most right now.

Speak.

I’ve thought about this a lot, especially during the pandemic season we’ve faced. There are so many words left unsaid. Circumstances have kept us apart. Too many parting moments and there were no final farewells in the same room. Words that have the power to unite or heal will be left on the table unshared.

My last word with dad was over FaceTime. We sang because that’s what he was good at. Though treatment had ruined his ability to speak, he mouthed the words to a song with me while I carry the sound across the miles, and they come from my years of knowing him.

“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through…”

Perhaps waiting until the last moment will produce nothing new, nor earth-shattering. It may be simply repeating something you’ve been sharing for a lifetime. We often put value to “famous last words.” Maybe, it’s instructions for the future or the love we have for our family. Perhaps it’s where the treasure is hidden!

Speak. We listen.

Speak, We Listen

You may not remember the commercial from the olden days. “When E.F. Hutton speaks, everyone listens.” Of course, it was all about selling their services as a financial advisor, but the commercial makes my point. Some have the power of speech that when they do have something to say, everyone pauses, listens, nods their heads, and thinks, “I just learned something!”

William Henry Seward, U.S. secretary of state and architect of the Alaska Purchase (of course, I’m interested in his observance), was asked if he had any final words. He replied, “Nothing, only ‘love one another.’” [Source: Famous Last Words] I’ve not researched the context, but no more powerful words of Christ than this may have been his last instruction to his family. Love one another.

Paul writes a final farewell to Timothy, and in the 4th chapter of 2 Timothy, we find his challenge and summation. It’s a chapter chock full of advice we all read and study.

From Golgotha, we observe the final utterances of Jesus. Authors write books about these words.

• Matthew 27:46 KJV  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
• Luke 23:34 KJV  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
• Luke 23:43 KJV  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
• Luke 23:46 KJV  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
• John 19:26 KJV  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
• John 19:27 KJV  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
• John 19:28 KJV  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
• John 19:30 KJV  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Jesus had more words to share after the resurrection, but these words were powerful. Even fulfilling prophecy. Read Psalms 22.

It’s Your Turn

From both sides of this imaginary last moment, paint the picture of what you would say, or what words you would love to hear. Although it may be the phrase written on a tombstone, regardless, think about the power of the moment when those last sounds will be the words that could unite, or heal, or even destroy. Before the last breath is breathed, what is it you wish were said. Think about it. You have something to say. We want to hear from you. Be prepared. Someday, it will be your turn.

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Can I tell you what I’ve been feeling about this? I’ve been in a position of sharing for many years. I realize that not everything I’ve had to say has been heard, nor taken to heart. At one point I decided to blog. Now, 12 years later, and with thousands of posts, I find that I still have more to say. God grant me the time and wisdom to share wisely, and you the reader, take some nugget to heart. Go! Change the world! Speak. We’re listening.