Things were in place. Chicken marinating in a garlic and lemony Greek slurry with herbs from our garden. All the tablecloths were washed and ironed except a few.

“It’s late. I can iron them in the morning,” I told my husband.

One full day before my good friend Julie Cox’s memorial. People from all over were pitching in to pull off a sizable celebration with an Israeli meal to follow.

“Wait,” I thought aloud, “I prepped the blue table cloths. I haven’t evaluated the white ones.” (A friend loaned 35 of them to us.) Pulling them out, I saw that I needed to wash and iron more than I’d factored. I hefted the storage containers to the laundry room, placed six in the tumbler, mind whirring of how many loads I’d need to do in the night to catch up.

In the flurry of to-do’s I wasn’t expecting what showed up next. There, displayed on the dryer, sat a postcard. Two friends drawn in golden hues. Where’d it come from? I flipped it over: addressed to me. No stamp?

It was from Julie! Inscribed with sweet words appreciating our friendship. She must’ve hand delivered it, but when?

Had I seen this before?

How did it just show up today? Wait—I’d asked our nine-year-old son to clean everything out—next to and behind the dryer.

All I knew was it sat displayed like a gift. It was a gift! A sweet kiss from God to slow me down and remember my WHY.

Why I was doing all of this. The event insurance. The décor, food, the write up for the bulletin, arranging speakers, people to grill, folks to set up and tear down, guest book and greeters, kitchen help, memorabilia tables.

It was to remember and honor someone we all loved so much. I ironed the last of the blue table cloths with renewed energy before slipping into bed.

The day of the memorial was beautiful. Friends led worship, and her daughter sang. One son sang with his quartet. Her husband shared a detailed testimony from the last 30 days that made my jaw drop at the goodness of God. People shared memories of Julie. Blue and white round tables flooded the courtyard of the church—decorated with hydrangeas and pictures of Julie in theater costume or just plain enjoying life with loved ones. A long food table, draped in blue and decorated with lilac cloths and greenery, was piled high with chicken, hummus, veggies, fetta, tzatziki sauce, homemade pita, watermelon, grapes, and so much more.

Praise God, we pulled it off, recognizing it was more than just a busy activity. It was a celebration with a purpose. A friend. A life well lived. A heart that loved SO WELL.

Do you ever need to be reminded of your WHY?

We get in the middle of the minutia, and things become hectic. We get bogged down. We need to breathe and remember WHO we are laboring for.

My brain goes to Martha, the lady who served Jesus but got a bad attitude in the process. Today my mind turns to John 12:1-8 where Martha served in a quiet, mature way. She’d grown in her role. Her sister was again at the feet of Jesus, this time anointing him with precious perfume for His greatest act of love. His burial. Martha facilitated an important event before Jesus wasn’t going to be with them much longer. I’d like to think she’d met her WHY.

We all need Mary time at Jesus’ feet and Martha time to love and serve those He’s given us. Time to be empowered and time to shine His love.

Maybe you’re in a marriage that needs extra prayer and love. Maybe your teens need extra patience, or you have a toddler demanding a lot of attention. Maybe you are walking with a friend through tough circumstances. Whatever it is, PRAYERFULLY REMEMBER YOUR WHY—the end goal. Keep in mind the One you’re doing this for.

Julie’s memorial reminded me – my friend is hearing the words she’s always wanted to hear from God, “Well done, good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

I pray you receive sweet kisses from the Lord today, reminders that He is near to encourage, strengthen, and settle you (just like that little postcard from my friend Julie). As a matter of fact, please drop me a line. I’d love to hear what graces you are receiving and walking in that refocus your purpose on God’s WHY.

For the Generation Who Seeks Him,

Melinda Poling