Second Fiddle

            For the past two decades I’ve played violin regularly in the churches we’ve attended. (We moved a lot, so those have been numerous.)

            In one particular church, a lady approached me after the service. “I love to hear you play.”

            “Oh, thank you,” I said, feeling somewhat accomplished.

            Then she abruptly added, “You’re not that good.”

            I howled with laughter. “I know! Compared to all the wonderful players out there, I’m quite mediocre!”

            “Yes, but I can tell you play from your heart.”

            “I do,” I said, hugged her, and proceeded to pack up my violin.

            To this day, when hubby and I share this story, I can’t help but laugh. And believe me! If I was on the pride-climb, THAT knocked me down a notch or two.

            Honestly? I’ve always been a “second fiddle.” That expression implies second place in any given situation.

            When a person plays the violin, however, this could mean one of two things: 1) Second chair next to the first violinist who is concert master/mistress in an orchestra, or 2) Second violin—either first chair or second chair, the latter making one second fiddle to the second fiddle first chair. Confused yet?

            Most of my violin playing life, I played second violin, first chair or second chair. A legit second fiddler! I didn’t mind not being the best. To be honest, I never practiced hard enough to be anything better, much to the chagrin of my mother who tried multiple means to encourage me to do better.

            In our family “second fiddle” went further. My sister arrived first. She excelled in most everything—beauty, grades, style, AND decorum.

          Four and nearly a half years later I showed up—fair in the looks department, average grade-wise in the subjects that “counted,” dressed in big sis’ hand-me-downs, and with a foot in my mouth more often than I wish to admit. I honestly liked my position and didn’t often grumble about it. (After all, how could I grumble with a foot in my mouth?)

            Are you a “second fiddle?” Not the best, brightest, richest, most popular? The list goes on. That’s okay. The problem comes when one isn’t content with this position—or any position we’re placed in.

            As far as talents are concerned, God doesn’t expect us to be first in everything but does want us to use our gifts well. If your best puts you in the second fiddle chair of the proverbial orchestra, that’s okay—as long as you’re doing your best.

            Ironically, when we give God our second-fiddle best from the heart, we’re giving him first place in our love, honor, and service to Him. How sweet a “sound” that is to the Master!

            As C.S. Lewis once said, "It is not important to succeed, but to do right. The rest is up to God."*

            So, should you end up in second chair second violin, you’ll contribute to the harmony needed to complete whatever lifework is being performed. The “first violins” need you! Only then is a masterpiece complete.

 

Give of your best to the Master—Give Him first place in your heart;

Give Him first place in your service; consecrate every part.

Give, and to you will be given’ God His beloved Son gave;

Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have…

 

Give of your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His love;

He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above.

Laid down His life without murmur, You from sin’s ruin to save;

Give Him your heart’s adoration, Give Him the best that you have.

 

(from the hymn “Give of Your Best to the Master” by Howard B. Grose, 1902, public domain)

#secondfiddle #violin #talents #givingyourbest

*from LENTEN LANDS by Douglas H, Gresham ~ Harper Collins, 1988

It's Gonna Get "Betterer"

            Grandson TJ (age 4) marched up to the front of the sanctuary with all the other church kids because our son Stephen had prepared a gospel “magic” presentation for them. Beaming with pride, TJ announced to the kids, “THAT’S MY DAD!”

            He, having watched his dad practice all the tricks in advance, was warned NOT to give away any of the endings. Stephen did numerous tricks, then went to the one that makes everyone “ah” and clap.

            This particular trick illustrates what happens when sin enters a life. He began with a clean glass of water and dropped in the element that made the water a little dirty in appearance. Stephen then got ready to add more of the dirtying agent to show the accumulative effect of sin after sin.

            TJ could contain himself no longer. With each drop his dad prepared to add, this four-year-old cried out, “It’s gonna get worser!” And with each drop his arms became more animated with his caution, “It’s gonna get even worser!”

            And it did until the once clean water was as dark as dark could get.

            At this point in the trick, Stephen explained about Jesus coming into the world to die and take away our sins—that “worser” stuff we do—and that, when Jesus comes into a life (as Stephen then stood a red cross in the darkened water and with a few gentle stirs, the water became clear again), He makes it clean as new.

            Now, I cannot give away the secret to how this trick is done. My husband’s performed it for years, so I, too, know each time it’s gonna “get even worser” before it “gets betterer.” But, as Brian says, “A good magician never tells how he does his tricks, and a bad one doesn’t have to.” So from me? Mums the word.

            TJ warned those kids! And, yup, the whole situation “got worser.” But then the Cure!

            We’re living in a world where things are getting “worser and even worser,” and—although it may look like the causes are inflation & debt, cultural changes, leadership making horrible choices, this all comes down to a one-syllable word—SIN. We should be quaking in our boots with what’s to come as we spiral into what looks-to-be unrepairable oblivion. But…

            If you, like I, have Jesus in our lives, we’ve been made clean of that “worser” stuff—SIN, even though we must continue to go to the father to ask forgiveness when we blunder. And, because He’s the Good Father, loving Abba, that He is, He forgives again and again so that we can stand before Him clean—justified—as if we’d never sinned. Cleaned, just like the darkened water was by that red cross in the gospel “magic trick.”e’s

            But what about our world? It continues to get “worser and even worser.” If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you can rest assured in these Words from the Bible—God’s Holy Word:

            “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-6*

            But what do we do while we await the day we join God in Heaven? He gives us promising Words for this also: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.*

            Maybe you’re reading this blog post and don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. There’s HOPE for you too. You can ask Him into your life right now. Here are simple steps to know how to do that:

1)      Tell God you’re a sinner. (You can do this by praying, which is talking to Him. He already knows all about you and loves you to the extreme, so this won’t surprise Him. He wants you to know you can come to Him with this confession.)

2)      Let God know you’re sorry for the sins you’ve committed. (He is waiting to lift the load of sin from you. Remember, He died on the cross to take on the sins of the whole world’s people. Then He rose again to conquer death and offer us eternal life.)

3)      Acknowledge what God’s done for you—recognizing Jesus gave His Life to be the payment for your sin, and He rose from the dead. (And only Jesus—the God man—could come back to life. Otherwise, His death would hold no promise.)

4)      Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life. (He’s ready to do so, loves you, and desires to have a place in your heart and life.) And thank Him! (After all, you’ve just received the greatest Gift EVER!)

           If you took the steps above with a sincere heart, then your salvation is sealed. You’re now saved from those sins that once separated you from God!

            Thank You, Savior, for making the Way possible.

          Welcome to the family! Those of us who’ve already accepted Jesus’ free gift of salvation rejoice with you, as do the angels in Heaven!

            Now, this isn’t part of becoming saved, but I strongly recommend you go tell someone what you have done. After all, you’re now the bearer of tremendously good news in a broken world. Others need to know Him as their Savior too and—even if they don’t realize it—are searching for Hope.

 

“What a Day That Will Be” by Jim Hill, 1955—

You can listen to this great hymn now:

Jim Hill - What a Day That Will Be [Live] - YouTube

You may also see the afore mentioned “magic trick” performed

on my husband’s YouTube channel.

And, no, he won’t tell you how it’s done. So there!

https://youtu.be/CAqpjDIhvwM

 

#magictrick #salvationsteps #brokenworld #hopeinHeaven

*from the NKJV version of the Bible

(Photo Credit: Elizabeth Cloud Newsome)

The Lovely Maguana Qualls

             May I introduce you to the lovely Maguana Qualls? I met this dear lady a dozen years ago when the beauty in her store window drew me inside. I ahhed at the beautiful items and flower arrangements that greeted shoppers. Immediately, I knew whoever ran this store had an artistic eye. The creations and layout were flawless.

            Then came a greeting from a few steps further behind a counter. “Hey!”

            Now, “hey” might seem a strange way to greet someone unless you’re “mountain.” I mean the Appalachian brand of mountain. That’s how everyone greeted each other when we lived in southeastern Kentucky, but we weren’t in that region of our “adopted hometown” now.

            We began a conversation. I learned “right quick” Maguana Qualls hailed from southeastern Kentucky, and although she’d left home eons before, the warmth of the mountain ways stayed with her as customers could’ve just as well been “kinfolk.” I felt very at home in her presence.

            I also recognized this lady was my sister in Christ—the next reason I warmed to her, making us genuine blood-bought kin. Maguana radiated Jesus! So, although our income didn’t allow me to be a frequent buyer in her lovely shop, sometimes I popped in just to say “hey!”

            When again God prepared us for another ministry move, I stopped by one last time to purchase something-Maguana to take with us. And, although, this lovely lady never made great profit from my purchases, I became richer through knowing her.

            I reconnected with Maguana a few years later via social media. On Facebook she posted vignettes which only affirmed what I’d already learned—that this lovely lady’s heart hungered after the Savior she inordinately loved.

            Then tragedy! Flames engulfed Maguana’s store, leaving it in complete ruins.

            Here’s where I’ll turn the story over to the lovely lady herself, as I’ve asked Maguana to share her testimony—how God ministered to her during huge loss and what He brought out of the flames.

            “I've been a Christian since I was 17 years old. That doesn't mean I was always on the straight and narrow path. There were a few times I strayed but not too far. I love my God, and I love serving Him.

            We all go through trials in our life that strengthen our faith. My faith was really tested when we lost our flower shop due to a fire in March of 2022. I could have questioned why and maybe I still do a little, and I could have been mad or upset with God, but I chose not to. In fact, I was calm and serene. I realized I'd lost something, but that something was just material things.

            God provided an empty store front the day after the shop burned. I never once looked back. I just moved forward and still am because I know my God will take care of me. Something beautiful came from those ashes on July the 4th a year ago when we reopened. I thank God every day for the business He gives me, but mostly I thank Him for loving me.

            God’s love always shows up when we are troubled … changes everything and everyone who receives it … protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God’s love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when life falls apart—and even when life is good.

            Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you—Emmanuel. He endured the cross, completely, and alone because He loves you. No one can take your place in the Father’s Heart. God knows your pain, and He understands. God created you and paid for your sin for one reason alone—He loves you, and True Love always shows up.” —Maguana Qualls 

“All my heart to Him I give—Ever to Him I’ll cling,

In His blessed presence live—Ever His praises sing.

Love so mighty and so true—Merits my soul’s best songs;

Faithful, loving service, too—To Him belongs.

Love lifted me, Love lifted me—When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.”

 

(from hymn “Love Lifted Me” by James Rowe, 1912, public domain)

#MaguanQualls #shop #fire #God’sLove #theFathersHeart

(Photo used with permission.)

An Unexpected Time in the "Necessary Room"

            Hubby and I enjoyed dinner out, having been given a restaurant gift card. At the close of the meal as we boxed our leftovers, Brian said, “If we get to my appointment early, maybe I’ll be able to come with you to yours.”

            We’d timed our busy day carefully. 1) Eat out. 2) Stay with Brian at the ophthalmologist until I must leave for my pulmonology appointment. 3) Go to mine and be blown away by awful news. 4) Return to pick up Brian because his eyes would be dilated. 5) Wipe tear-filled eyes and drive us home. All planned, but…

            In my heart, I wished Brian could be with me. After all, I was about to learn what kind of lung disease I had in more detail. But his glaucoma was not being nice, so we couldn’t postpone this appointment. We settled, instead, for a nice meal together and stopped before leaving to use the “necessary rooms.”

            “I’ll wait here and watch our doggy bag while you take your turn,” I said plopping on a lobby bench with my portable oxygen. “Then I’ll make a ‘pit stop.’”

            When Brian reappeared and picked up the bag, I added, “I can meet you at the car.” He headed out, and I went to “do what needed to be done.”

            As I washed my hands afterward, a lady stepped up to the sink on my left.

            “Hello,” I said and continued washing.

            “Hello,” she replied. “How’s your day going?”

            “All right,” I replied, although that probably wasn’t totally true, as I was anxious about my appointment, forthcoming bad news, and tricky timing of it all—but why dump that on a stranger? Instead, I asked, “How ’bout yours?”

            “I need prayer,” she said and seemed shaken.

            I stopped washing and turned toward her. “I’ll pray for you. What’s your name?”

            “Joy.”

            “Is there something specific you’d like me to pray about?”

            “Anything and everything,” she blurted, tearing a couple paper towels from the holder and handing me one of them. “What’s your name?”

            “Sarah.”

            “I’ll pray for you, Sarah.”

            “Thank you, Joy.” I dried my hands and tossed the paper towel into the trash. “And I’d be glad to pray for you,” I said as another lady entered the ladies’ room.

            “Did I hear someone say they’ll pray?” she asked, walking toward us.

            Joy turned her way. “Yes, we’re going to pray for each other.” A smile swept over her face.

            This lady also smiled. “I love the Lord and know He cares about both of you. I’ll pray for you gals also.”

            We learned her name was Amelia, and suddenly I found myself in her and Joy’s arms as we spontaneously hugged one another.

            Strangely, I felt some of my load lift, and I also smiled. I wish I’d prayed with them at that moment. I didn’t, feeling I needed to excuse myself and get to the car so we could arrive early for Brian’s appointment time.

            When I got into the car, I shared the experience with my hubby.

            “Did you tell them your prayer need?”

            “No. I just figured God already knew and would take care of it.”

            We left for Brian’s appointment which is generally long, arriving 30 minutes early. He asked the receptionist if it might be possible to be seen ASAP so he could accompany me to mine, the urgency of which he explained in a nutshell.

            “We’ll do our best,” the receptionist said.

            And she and everyone else involved did! In a half-hour, we were done, and I teared up, realizing God already intervened because we’d go to my appointment as a twosome.

            At mine, I didn’t receive the doom and gloom news I’d expected. No, it wasn’t all wonderful, but it held some promise.

            Brian nudged me as we waited to check out. “Our prayers were answered today.”

            And they were.

            All in all, the day I’d dreaded completely turned around, marked by that meeting of sister-strangers in a restaurant ladies’ room. A blessing, not only to me, but to those two women who shared a hug and a promise.

            I will keep this commitment, praying for Amelia and Joy. In time I may forget their names (my aging brain does that), but I hope I don’t forget to lift “whatever-their-names-were” in prayer. And may I remember that very special time in the “necessary room.”

            Sometimes God works in unexpected places and unplanned times. I think I needed those ladies at that moment, perhaps as much as Joy needed someone to pray for “anything and everything.”

            How ’bout I pray for you who stop by to read my jottings! In that prayer, I’ll ask God to use you, even in unexpected ways. And may you also encounter JOY…

            …perhaps an AMELIA too!

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His Arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

 

(from the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, 1855, public domain)

#doctorappointment #ophthalmologist #pulmonologist #time #prayer #burdens #FriendinJesus

Photo Credit—Ruth Voelker Burland (used with permission)

The Whole Pie

             How well I remember sitting around the table with a visiting missionary family and several other guests for a dessert night! The discussion eventually turned to priorities, when someone said something about putting God first, family next, and ourselves last.

            I was somewhat surprised when this missionary wife jumped in with this question: “What is the chief purpose for us being here?”

            Most were quiet, afraid to answer incorrectly, while another hesitated then said, “To serve God?”

            “To glorify Him,” the missionary wife said. “Picture a pie.” She pointed to one on the table. “Some Christians have been taught to serve God, then family, then themselves.” She pretended to cut a huge piece of pie for God, a mid-sized for family, and a sliver for self. “This is flawed thinking.”

            I listened intently. Flawed thinking? But I’ve been taught that—especially all my years at a strict Bible college where no one dare question legalistic instruction.

            She continued. “If we’re to do all to the glory of God and all our service belongs to Him, then His is the whole pie, not just a piece.”

            “Then how do you know how much is what?” I asked. 

            “On the mission field, one day we might have more responsibilities in ministry, and that may be a really big piece of the pie. Another day, family might need more than the ministry,” she said pretending to cut the pie elsewhere. “There’ll also be times we must take care of ourselves so we don’t burnout.” She pretended to cut another slice, not a sliver. “It’s all God’s. The whole pie. When you think of it that way, the pieces will be cut different sizes, depending on the day. Ministry, family, ourselves—all for His Glory.”

            This family returned to the United States from Africa every five years, making their furlough rounds to supporting churches and sharing what God was doing on the mission field. There were fruits from their labor, and most of their children handled life well. One did not. (Timewise this was when some mission boards required missionaries’ children to attend boarding school in Europe.) When all this father and mother could do to help that child at such a distance failed, they made the tough decision to head Stateside.

            I have little doubt they received some criticism for this. After all, hadn’t they committed their lives to serve the Lord in Africa? Yet, this couple took care of family at a most critical time. It “saved” this child. They’d given God the whole pie years earlier. They were still doing so, but now the pieces needed to be sliced differently—but all to the glory of God.

            In this particular case, another ministry sprung from this decision to “come home.” Because of their struggling child’s experience, this couple realized other MKs (missionary kids) hurt too. So, from their stateside mission field they reached out and for the remainder of their years helped multitudes of MKs.

            When we struggled with a troubled daughter and complications in her and our lives, we took a leave of absence from ministry. Some people eyed this as failure and let us know so. But at that time the chief need was this child. By pouring into her then, we felt we were honoring God because He wanted our child to be well and our parenting to honor Him. After all, hadn’t we dedicated her to the Lord and made a promise to Him?

            There’s always ministry to be done. Aways lost souls to win. But at what expense if a minister is sold out for God and sells out his family?

            A beautiful example of what I’m trying to express is our pastor. Totally dedicated to the Lord and his church family. Then a sadness—rapid deterioration of his beloved wife’s health—to the point she needed a great deal of care. He didn’t hesitate in making the decision to focus on the earthly love of his life—the one he’d said “I do” to more than fifty years earlier.

            Pastor expressed, “I want to be there for her—for as long as she needs me, however long that is.” This meant stepping back from the pulpit from time to time—and could realistically mean doing so more in the future as he keeps his commitment to his bride.

            That’s the whole pie with pieces sized differently depending on the need. And as our pastor lovingly cares for his wife, he glorifies God through this humble act of worship.

            If you’ve been raised in a legalistic setting, you’ll struggle with the concept I’ve presented and will either declare me a heretic or ask God to free you from that teaching. (I hope the latter.) I’m sure, however, we all agree on one thing—that God is deserving of all the glory—the whole pie!

            And to our pastor, thank you for your example—giving glory to God in ALL you do. How pleased He is and accepting of your worship! 

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise…

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee…

Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee—ever only all, for thee.

(from the hymn “Take My Life” by Frances R. Havergal, public domain, 1874)

 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies

a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1 NKJV

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:17 NKJV

#glorytoGod #legalism #guilt #servingGod #pie #missionary

Marriage, Wounds, & Scars

             Dad, Mom, my sister, and I couldn’t’ve been more thrilled, returning to Madison Square Garden for another Billy Graham Crusade!

            Rev. Graham’s message addressed a broken world and need for the Savior. Profoundly simple. All his messages were because the good news of the Gospel was easy to understand—Jesus Christ coming to earth, dying on the cross, and resurrecting from the dead to clean sinners’ hearts and open Heaven for all who sought Him.

            At the close of that evening, a song filled “the Garden.” As masses of people sang Just as I am, folks of all ages left their seats and headed down the steps to the floor level to be counseled and led to the Savior.

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come…

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot.

To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come…

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come…

Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

(Charlotte Elliott, 1835, Public Domain)

            I didn’t go down those steps. Didn’t need to. The matter of my heart was already settled as was the assurance I belonged to Jesus. That, too, before this night in the Garden. So, I used those moments to pray for those who needed to find the Savior.

            Unbeknownst to me, one hundred miles to the north a twelve-year-old boy watched the same Crusade on TV. While I was praying in New York City, he opened his heart to Jesus.

He, too, wrestled with matters of the heart in the years to come before realizing—although he’d made Jesus Savior—he hadn’t made Him Lord. When Brian surrendered, God led him to a special ministry, working with disabled kids and teens—where I had arrived the previous year.

We im met, fell in love, married, and lived happily ever after.

Nope. Not even close.

            Ours may have been a “marriage made in Heaven,” but we were living in a broken world where so much of the “unheavenly” seeped in. We were both missionaries serving the Lord. Yet, even that sometimes brought struggles by what we’d been taught—God first, husband next, family last. (In my next blog post, I’ll share how we were “reprogrammed.”) But being sold out for God left us too exhausted for the rest.

            Child #1 came along. Then twins.

Brian ministered away from home many hours, and I was spent. But we were doing what we should be. Right? Our mission board at that time relocated us to New York City. Life was not easier but better for us there, yet we still struggled as we followed “our teaching.”

            Another child arrived.

            By this time, we just couldn’t function anymore. Through prayer and counseling, we realized it was time to make major changes. We signed on with a more family-friendly mission board and made our way to another part of the country.

            Before we left, though, we rededicated our marriage to God in a mini-ceremony with our pastor and his wife.

            A fresh start! That had to be good. It was in many ways, and we grew together through trying times when we had little to go on. But our hearts were in the right place—our love for each other redirected properly.

            We continued to serve God with all our hearts and did our best to raise a family for Him, but life would turn on us more than a time or two—testing our marriage to the core. All that happened should’ve broken us. Crushed really. We were wounded, damaged, depressed.

            In time, those wounds healed.

            The scars, though, don’t go away. They never will.

            But God can use scars. Look at the nail prints in Jesus’ Hands!

            Scars carry a message and, yes, even Hope. They’re also grand “authenticators” to others who hurt—those who’ll listen to us because we’ve “been there.”

            So this scarred husband and wife march on, praying we remain faithful to God and each other.

            Are you scarred? Do your scars help you give “authentic” comfort to others who need to know God will bring them through the same hurts you’ve endured? I pray you find value in the hardships that caused those and have the courage to reach others because of them.

            But maybe you’re still too wounded. May I encourage you to take needful steps—prayer, Bible reading, even godly counseling—to aid in healing. For some this takes less time than for others. (It took us a great many years.) That’s okay.

            Rest in Him, let Him be Your Balm. and trust He knows what He’s doing because—remember—He went through horrific wounding and bears the scars.

            There’s no one more Authentic than Jesus Christ—the Great Healer and Counselor!

#BillyGrahamCrusade #NewYorkCity #Jesus #salvation #love&marriage #scars

"Why Am I Still Here?"

            Our elderly—this priceless group of people—have long been favorites of mine.

            Such a one was Weezie! Dear to the core. I came to know her in the Appalachian Mountains—when she lived with her daughter who, at the time, needed a “sitter” for her mom while she took her husband for cancer treatments. I was one of the chosen.

            What a joy and delight spending time with Weezie, hearing her stories, and sharing in her love for the Lord!

            But the time came when she could no longer be cared for in her daughter and son-in-law’s home due to his health decline, so Weezie moved to a nursing home. It was a fine place, don’t get me wrong, but Weezie changed as a woman in her nineties does just because—well—that’s what happens.

            I hopped over the mountain a time or two to visit her, and I’ll never forget (as long as I have memory) our last time together. I found Weezie sitting in her wheelchair and pulled a seat as close as possible in front of her. We held hands and talked a bit. Then I read her a Psalm and closed my Bible.

            Weezie leaned forward. I thought she was falling out of her wheelchair and reached out to catch her, but she just wanted to rest her head on my chest. So I held her there.

            She was quiet a minute. Then she glanced up, looked into my eyes, and asked, “Why am I still here?”

            I thought some moments, knowing the answer mattered—to her and God. Finally, I said, “Because we need prayer warriors on the front line. So many are busy and forget to pray for us Christian soldiers. We depend on you.” I took a deep breath then continued. “When your purpose on earth is completed, God will take you Home.”

            She gently nodded but remained in my embrace. I sang a hymn to her, and she hummed along and seemed peaceful.

(The song was one you may listen to by copying and pasting this info into your browser:

When We See Christ (lyrics video) - song cover by Nelli Savchenko - YouTube

By Esther Kerr Rusthoi*)

            On the other side of the mountain from where Weezie lived was another elderly saint who prayed faithfully at her bedside even though, when doing so, it meant enduring physical pain. She’s the dear lady pictured here—a poignant image captured by her daughter.

            Here’s what this daughter shared about the photo: “Mom had fallen and made a mess of her knees. When she was ready for bed, I asked her not to kneel. I waited and went to check on her. This is what I found. She did this until shortly before she passed at 96.” —Nagatha Venters Anderson**

            Weezie, Nagatha’s momma, and so many others passed the years where they were able to do much physically, but they didn’t stop carrying folks like us in their hearts. I dare say we’d be in a greater struggle were it not for our prayer warriors.

            Maybe you’re an elderly person or a disabled one. Please know your usefulness isn’t over. No way! Your family and others need you on your knees (figuratively if you can’t do so physically) because we’re living in a world where spiritual battles take place around every corner.

            To you, precious prayer warriors, our heartfelt thanks! Not just for those vital prayers but for the testimony of faithfulness you’ve shown us. When you’re promoted to Glory, may others of us take your place. In the meantime, thank you for teaching us well.

“Lord, let me live from day to day in such a self-forgetful way,

That even when I kneel to pray my pray’r shall be for others…”

(from the hymn, “Others” by Charles D. Meigs—blind preacher, 1917, public domain)

#prayer #prayerwarriors #elderly #seniorcitizens #spiritualwarfare

 

*Copyright 1941, New Spring (ASCAP)—Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.

**Photo & written account used with permission