Diane Sweeney was described by her nephew, Rick Ingram, as someone who always had a giving spirit.

In a conversation which would turn out to be just a few weeks before her death, Sweeney told Ingram about a unique gift that she wanted to give at her funeral.

“She told a few of us her wish,” said Ingram. “I remember it clear as day. She said, ‘Whoever comes to my funeral, I want them to have a chance to win my Volkswagen Beetle.’”  The Beetle was one of her prized possessions.

Ingram replied, “Oh, Diane, I'll make that happen.”  And he did.

Thirty days after expressing her wish, Sweeney passed away unexpectedly.

Ingram and his cousin, Suzanne Singleterry, worked together to make her wish come true.  “We put it in the local paper,” Ingram said. “That her wish is that whoever comes to the funeral — and she didn't care if they knew her or not, or their age, race — would have a chance to win her car. Channel 4 picked it up and asked if they could do a news story [about it]. I said, ‘Absolutely. It'll pack the funeral home' — which it did.’”

Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Bonham of El Reno, Oklahoma, saw the news report on television.  At first she laughed it off, but then decided she wanted to attend Sweeney’s funeral, although she had never met her.  Bonham talked two of her older sisters and some of their cousins into going to the funeral, too.  They traveled 30 miles to attend the memorial.

At the funeral, Bonham learned more about Diane Sweeney.  “They put together the slideshows and everything and so it was just interesting to feel like you knew someone that you had never met before. They said that she was a very funny and fun person to be around and that she loved her family and church. It definitely seemed like she was a generous person.”

About a year later, Bonham, who was on a trip with her family, received a phone call informing her that her raffle ticket had been selected.  She had been given Sweeney’s Volkswagen Beetle.  Bonham was so grateful.

Ingram said he’s grateful for the message of his aunt's life.  “She was always thinking of others, even after her death, which is one of her many legacies. And now [Gabriella] starts her life in the spirit of Diane.” *

There is Someone who died, not only thinking of you, but dying FOR you.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on the cross – not for His own sins, for He was sinless – but for our sins.  He died for us so that we might receive the gifts of salvation and eternal life.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the grave for YOUR salvation.  He died, not only thinking of you, but dying for you so that YOU can live with Him forever.  Won’t YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Oklahoma teen wins Volkswagen Beetle after attending a stranger's funeral: 'Perfect winner was drawn'” by Gretchen Eichenberg of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org