Don’t avoid attending them! Being there for family and friends in their hour of grief will enable you to obey the command to “weep with those who weep.” Go. Reflect on your mortality, the highest and best, being a better example, your legacy, your own departure, Christ’s resurrection and yours. All of this may enable you to keep your priorities straight and live your life forward toward a better completion. We are all headed to a departure. Finish the course, and finish well.
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (KJV)
