While on vacation we were walking among the family tombs at Mount Vernon, I was only half paying attention to the inscriptions when this one caught my attention, specifically that last line, which is a quote from Romans 16:12.
This says, “Sacred to the memory of Jane Charlotte Blackburn. Devoted wife of John Augustine Washington. Born Aug. 23rd 1786. Died Sept. 6th 1855. Whose remains are interred in this vault. “The beloved Persis who labored much in the Lord.” “
While many tombstones will describe a person as beloved or devoted, “who labored much in the Lord” seems to me… unique. I immediately wondered what type of person she was? I tried to imagine what she looked like and how she dressed. I wondered what was her personality? In what ways did she labor? What was it about her that others chose this verse for her tombstone?
My next thought (one that brings tears to my eyes) was “what will others say of me?” Will I be remembered as a true servant, laboring for my King in order that He might be honored? Or will I be remembered for serving and honoring myself? It’s a humbling thought. One that caused me to pause to examine both my actions and my motives.
May we all strive to be like Paul who wrote:
“according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20
