A Life Well Lived

I’m sitting here reflecting on the many moving events of this last week. A week ago today a man who loved deeply and who was deeply loved left for his home in heaven. Ronda’s father, Herb Maust, died peacefully in his home at 84 years of age. Ronda had the privilege of being at his side as he slipped into eternity, cheering him on to his eternal reward and the Lord he loved.

Over 700 people showed up at the visitation to lend their support and share a story of Herb’s generosity. The family was so blessed to have one of Herb’s longtime friends speak at his funeral. Peter Wiebe and Herb met when they were both 23 as Peter became the pastor of Yellow Creek Mennonite Church. Over the many years since, their friendship grew as they encouraged each other in their walk with Jesus and their respective leadership roles in life.

Herb and lifelong friend Peter Wiebe, April 2012

Last April Peter was in the area at the time of a Maust family gathering at our house. So he stopped by to a warm welcome by Herb and the whole family. Last Saturday Peter gave one the most powerful and appropriate funeral sermons I have ever heard. At 84 he still carries the strong passion and clarity of the Gospel that propelled his many years of ministry.

Herb left Peter and all of us a lot of material to work with. His life of quiet and often secret giving to others demonstrated the consistent love he was so well known for. I told Ronda Saturday evening on the way home, “That was the kind of funeral to live for.” Thank you, Herb, for living such a generous life. And thank you for caring for me.