This is perhaps the hardest blog entry I have ever written.
I (we) lost a treasure last week.
My mother-in-law left her earthy body behind & gained a new, perfectly healthy body-a body that can spend eternity w/ her heavenly Father.
Wednesday, after attending her Bible Study, she came home & ate a bit. Shortly after lunch, while relaxing in her recliner-she passed into eternity.
I wasn’t sure how to start this….really, how are you supposed to say all you need to about someone as special as she was!?
When I ponder a Proverbs 31 woman, though, she is sure one that comes to mind!
So, with that in mind, here is my tribute to one of the most special women I have ever had the privilege of knowing!
(I have to say, too, that I am sure she qualifies in every area mentioned-but these are the ones that stuck out to me! )
Proverbs 31:
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
~I remember many times seeing her pulling food out of the freezer that had been cooked ahead of time for us, when we came to visit-food she had willingly worked on-for us!
~The time she came &, among other things willingly cleaned out my fridge-we had just lost our baby. (Cleaning out someone ELSE'S fridge-that's love-for sure!!)
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
~Loved waking up at her home & hearing her tinkering around in the kitchen. We always sleep a lot later than East coast folks- being from Mountain Standard time! Maybe it just seemed like it was still night!
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Who is more needy than a child? & my children were so blessed to have such a wonderful Grandmother! Nat loved blowing her kisses on the computer when we would Skype. Ruthie loved to just cuddle up to her to hear a story when we were together. Ana loved talking her ear off-but Grandmother always had just the right questions to gain insight into her eldest granddaughter. She met each of their needs-& loved them all immensely. I am sure she also prayed for them-& for us as we muddle through parenting them! They now have a huge “love hole” in their lives!
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
~She was classy. Not a hair was ever out of place-even in our CO wind. Sometimes I would look & her & think, “I wish I could keep my hair looking that nice!!”
~She also had such an “eye” for clothes the kids would look perfect in! Makes me sad to think there will never be any more special clothes for Christmas from her!
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.Who among her close family & friends does not have some of her beautiful cross-stitched masterpieces? That is LOVE in every stitch.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
Praise the Lord-we can say she is now rejoicing in heaven-because she knew Jesus Christ had died for HER.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
So much wisdom imparted to me through her e-mails-usually several times a week.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
She sure took good care of her husband! Such an example to me!
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
Well, I am not my husband (who was her actual progeny), but I was her daughter in law-& *I* can say-she (& her husband) raised such a wonderful son!! Many of his greatest qualities are straight from her-I sometimes joke w/ him that I married his mother!!! Ha!
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
This was perhaps the thing I am most thankful for-she had tremendous respect for her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. She would want all the glory from her life to go to Him, I am sure.
A few other thoughts:
I would be remiss if I did not share with you this verse I know she knew to be true:
"And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:36 NLT
We are so thankful she is in heaven now:
" Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)
We Believers who are left here on earth know we will see her again:
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died." 1 Thessalonians 4:13 & 14I think this verse sums up her life:
“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” Phil. 1:20.
She will be missed…..but we are thankful that we will see her again one day!!
Posts
