I wanna tell you a story about basketball.
This is a basketball arcade game we had at our house growing up. You can see my head in the corner, watching the shots. I’m probably five or six years old in this picture. I’m watching someone shooting fast, clearly. The first shot, is barely through and the second shot is already there, but a little bit off center.
Now let’s look at the rest of this picture.
That is my grandmother, balling out in a sari. Two shots up, third on the way, she is not slowing down.
This is one of my fondest memories of my grandmother. When I think of her, this is what comes to mind. It was a side of her that I don’t think many people got to see.
My grandmother was 86, almost 87. That is a lot of life to have lived. My fiancé Aliza and I have talked recently about the challenges of our grandparents passing away. But in that, we’ve shared a gratitude for the legacies they have left behind.
For starters, Chinnammamachi gave birth to one of the greatest men I knew, my father, Cherian Dethose. I am here as a direct result of that. This church is a part of her legacy. We have already heard many stories today that are a part of her legacy.
When I think of someone whose life spanned over eight decades, there’s a quote that comes to mind:
“The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”
When I think of “long obedience in the same direction” and my grandmother, I think of her constant references to the Word of God. There was not a birthday card I ever received from her that she didn’t also handwrite a verse of Scripture on. And of course, a favorite of hers was the book of Psalms. I know I’m not alone in this; I’m sure many of you could share similar stories.
When the children of Israel walked their pilgrimage journeys to Jerusalem, they would sing psalms on their way up to the city. These songs were compiled into what we now call the Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. They are the songs of long obedience in the same direction. So, in honor of a life marked by the Psalms, I’d like to read Psalm 126, one of the Songs of Ascent.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Five years ago, I stood here giving a eulogy for my father, saying that our hope in Jesus was not dead. Here I am, five years later, having seen even more of the challenges, the ups and downs that life brings. And I can confidently tell you that the Lord has done great things for us. We are glad. Psalm 126 is a song of restoration, of hope. It is a psalm that weeps with you, but points you to a day of future joy. I hope it encourages you as you live out your own life in long obedience.