A Caring & Hospitable Soul

May 25, 2025

In Memory of Michelle Gale Autio: February 3, 1969 ~ May 15, 2025

Scriptures: Psalm 139:7-18; Romans 8:31-35; 37-39; John 14:25-27

Welcome.

Welcome to all who are visiting for the first time, and to those returning, welcome back. Jesus calls out to the weary and the burdened (Matthew 11:28), gathering all who are willing under His care, like a hen sheltering her chicks (Matthew 23:37), to comfort them. Most importantly, He promises that every tear will be wiped away, that death will be no more, and that mourning, crying, and pain will come to an end (Revelation 21:4).

Today, in this sacred space and gathering, we come together in love for Michelle and her family. Through our presence, thoughts, and words, may we humbly give thanks to God for Michelle’s life, a beloved child of God whom we have been blessed to know and love.

Message.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

If we were to list all the gifts God has given us through our Lord Jesus Christ, His love and His peace would be at the top. And in times of grief and mourning, times like today, that is exactly what we need most.

Yet having these gifts does not mean we feel better instantly. Grief often takes our breath away, making us feel as if no matter how deeply we inhale, it is never enough to sustain us through sorrow. Perhaps that is one of the reasons Jesus gives us another gift, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit, also known as the breath of God, sustains us in our daily lives. The Spirit, also known as the Counselor, teaches us the meaning of new life. The Spirit, also known as the Advocate, reveals that each of us has a unique, divine mission. And today, that mission is clear: we are here to be fully present with Michelle’s family, to listen to their stories, to honor the life Michelle was part of, and to continue offering our prayers in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Paul writes in Romans 8:26: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

I pray that this verse brings you comfort. It reminds us that even when words fail us, when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit steps in, carrying our deepest emotions, our unspoken needs, and expressing them in ways beyond human language. The Spirit of God is closer to us than we can comprehend, reassuring us that no one is alone in grief, in confusion, in longing.

From her family, I learned a little about Michelle. Hearing those precious stories, the scriptures before us today take on even greater meaning. Michelle lived a vibrant life and faced challenges, particularly in her health. Yet through it all, one constant remained: she was deeply caring, with a hospitable soul. She always welcomed visitors and those in need of her company. For her, hospitality was more than simply receiving guests; it was about creating a nurturing and caring space, complete with delicious food for others, including animals (except for spiders).

As people of God, we know that our journey does not end here. Psalm 139 and Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 remind us of an eternal truth: Nothing, not hardship, not sorrow, not even death can separate us from the love of God. One day, we will join Michelle by the River of Life, where the Tree of Life will bear twelve kinds of fruit, and its leaves will bring healing to all nations stated in Revelation 22.

Isn’t that comforting?

So as we conclude, may each of us including Michelle know this truth: We are loved. We are whole. We matter. In this life and the next.

Amen.