Today P and I attended a Life Celebration of a very dear man who I hope I might call a friend without being presumptuous. We had been away from the Halstead church for some months, so reading about his services on Facebook took us by surprise. In some ways I hate to have this inaugural blog be about the end of a life, but D's life is really what this blog is all about.
When we were first married, D & his wife P were really the first people to make us feel welcome. They invited us over to eat with them, sat beside us in church (I was even offered a mint or Werther's Original from her "Grandma Bag"), and proudly displayed our picture Christmas card with those of their grandchildren. We felt so affirmed for both what we had to offer and who we would become. It was obvious to us how much P & D loved each other even after 49 years of marriage. They were constantly resting a hand on the shoulder, calling each other "babe," or tenderly caring for one another. With their love and tenderness so evident to all, P and I often comment that we pray our love is sustained and evident for as many years.
We also hope we can offer the kind of love and hospitality P & D did. Every time we would stop by their house, P had some bit of food to offer (from fresh cookies, to half a sandwich left from lunch), and plenty of stories and laughs. As was mentioned today, when visiting with D, you had to plan to stay for an hour or two. Many of our larger pieces of furniture were moved to Halstead in D's truck that he was always willing to lend (usually with a freshly washed exterior and interior). What does it mean for all of us to be willing to offer all of us, and all we own as others have need? To freely give of our time?
Finally, what does it mean to offer encouragement? P & D have always affirmed our actions and activities at church and shared their appreciation. Even when the uglier sides of nature became apparent, D offered wise and patient affirmation that we were young, would work through this, and were no less in his eyes. At a time when I felt like my life was falling apart, their love and encouragement gave me a measure of peace that I needed in order to offer grace. I pray that when others need it most, I may offer words of Godly wisdom.
Who has inspired you with a life of Godly grace? I challenge you to tell them....you never know when the time to thank them is running out. What does it mean for you to offer yourself, your belongings, your time? To whom can you offer encouragement? Let us seek to live our lives as these heros of faith. Thank you D, for the life you lived and they legacy you left behind.
When we were first married, D & his wife P were really the first people to make us feel welcome. They invited us over to eat with them, sat beside us in church (I was even offered a mint or Werther's Original from her "Grandma Bag"), and proudly displayed our picture Christmas card with those of their grandchildren. We felt so affirmed for both what we had to offer and who we would become. It was obvious to us how much P & D loved each other even after 49 years of marriage. They were constantly resting a hand on the shoulder, calling each other "babe," or tenderly caring for one another. With their love and tenderness so evident to all, P and I often comment that we pray our love is sustained and evident for as many years.
We also hope we can offer the kind of love and hospitality P & D did. Every time we would stop by their house, P had some bit of food to offer (from fresh cookies, to half a sandwich left from lunch), and plenty of stories and laughs. As was mentioned today, when visiting with D, you had to plan to stay for an hour or two. Many of our larger pieces of furniture were moved to Halstead in D's truck that he was always willing to lend (usually with a freshly washed exterior and interior). What does it mean for all of us to be willing to offer all of us, and all we own as others have need? To freely give of our time?
Finally, what does it mean to offer encouragement? P & D have always affirmed our actions and activities at church and shared their appreciation. Even when the uglier sides of nature became apparent, D offered wise and patient affirmation that we were young, would work through this, and were no less in his eyes. At a time when I felt like my life was falling apart, their love and encouragement gave me a measure of peace that I needed in order to offer grace. I pray that when others need it most, I may offer words of Godly wisdom.
Who has inspired you with a life of Godly grace? I challenge you to tell them....you never know when the time to thank them is running out. What does it mean for you to offer yourself, your belongings, your time? To whom can you offer encouragement? Let us seek to live our lives as these heros of faith. Thank you D, for the life you lived and they legacy you left behind.