Good Monday morning! This CoffeeBreak blog is a personal
reflection, more so than most, as I celebrate a person today. Today, Bev would
have been 66! Happy Birthday in Heaven.
She’s been gone a little over 4 years now and today I am
remembering her, not sadly, but with joy.
Dr. Suess allegedly wrote “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because
it happened!” I had 41 years of
joy with a woman that God gave to me. We were a team, inseparable, and so much stronger
because of each other. How I thank God
for her legacy. She left me with four beautiful children, with memories of
godliness. Was she a saint? Yes and no. She was a real human being, who had
something of a stubborn streak, and whose Sicilian heritage could find its way
to the surface when she was provoked. But, she also loved God. From the first
day of our relationship to the last, her highest priority was serving Him.
One of my great joys in life was watching her in her work as
a teacher. She loved those first graders – giving them discipline and love in equal
measures. Every class learned her philosophy early in the school years – “Obedience
equals fun.” She was great with kid’s ministries whether leading a chapel
worship session or on the stage at Vacation Bible School. Seeing her standing
on the church’s platform during worship or watching her leading a woman’s Bible
study was to see grace in action. She claimed not to be a ‘counselor’ yet over
our pastoral life together, she mentored many, quietly, as much be example as
by word.
She was incredibly disciplined, taking care of herself, her
home, her family, her work – without slacking off or excuse. She loved me
quietly with steady affection. My overt affection in public was a constant
irritation to her. She wouldn’t hang all over me in a crowd, but she would, when
she thought it needed, rise to my defense like a lioness. She prayed for her
family and was my daily advocate before the Lord.
My Bev was tough and tender. She could fall apart when she felt overwhelmed
by life’s sorrows. She did not quit, ever, in the face of critics and the
stormy times that come to us all. Tiny in stature, some thought she was fragile,
but she was not. She knew the importance of relying on the Lord, on gathering
her resources, and putting first things first.
So, today, I celebrate her memory - thankful that the Lord
gave this gift to our world. Remembering her I say, “Happy Birthday. The world was blessed when you were born!” And, yes, of course, Babe, you are missed
still.
This morning her oldest son posted this Scripture on Facebook
in tribute to his Mom, words that say it best. "She is clothed with
strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she
speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She
carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from
laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are
many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm
is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be
greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly
declare her praise." (Proverbs 31:25-32, NLT)
Thanks for letting me remember. My prayer is that we all
live in a way that when we are called home, we leave a memory that is a
benediction, that inspires others to reach higher.
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