Words have power. Written words provide proof. You can read them, and reread them whenever you want. They can speak life to someone who needs encouragement. They can speak death to someone who is being deceived. The choice lies within you. How is it that you want people to remember you? Encourager...that is the gift that God has laid on my heart. To use my written, spoken, and/or sung words to lift people up. To be one link in their road to healing, restoration, joy. I have been without those things, and I claim them to be mine again. If you want me to seek God on a prayer for a specific situation...that is why I am here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to pray God's Word of Life over you.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Finish Strong

Being the wife of a worship leader, I get the chance privilege to be a part of a number of different occasions and methods of worship.  Tonight was no different.  Tonight I found myself; along with my husband, our four children, our two pastors, and our friends...at the bedside of a dear, sweet woman who is approaching the end of her days here on earth.

She is weak.
She is frail.
She is tired.
She is ready.
And still...she longs to worship.

We surrounded her bed and opened up our hymnals.  As we began to sing I made what I thought was my first mistake, and it had nothing to do with the notes I was singing.  I found myself intently watching.  

I watched her face as we began to sing.  She was hearing our words and she meant every one that we sang.  She soon began to cry...and that was all it took for me too.  When she was able she would mouth the words with us.  Worship connects

I remember the last time I saw a weakened, frail woman mouth the words to her favorite hymns.  It was the days after the sudden death of my grandfather.  My grandma sat in her living room as my husband played her piano, eyes closed, mouthing the words.  She was tired.  She was weak...and yet she longed to worship.  Worship soothes.

My favorite part of tonight was a tiny and simple gesture from her submissive heart to her Savior.  Her King.  Her God.  As we sang, she lifted her hand in worship.  It barely left her side...but I saw.  Her heart was clear and if no one else noticed...Heaven was watching.  Her Father was well pleased with her worship tonight.  Worship sacrifices.

Tonight was not about any of us who gathered there.  It was sad and yet so so beautiful.  I can not imagine not being by her side tonight.  As if my comfort would ever be more important than hers.  And in true God-like-fashion...although I went hoping to be just a tiny blessing amidst the sorrow...I left humbled by her unwavering obedience and love for her Creator.  Worship obeys

Tonight was an instruction for ME to raise my standard.  To stop making excuses in waiting for my purpose jump out at me.  I, too, want to finish strong.  I want to worship with every ounce of strength I have.  I want to raise my hands in submission to God until I can't anymore.  I want to walk in immediate obedience.  I want to sacrifice my comfort just to show God how much I adore Him.  I am raising the bar in my life.  I have seen what a gentle warrior looks like, and I am unwilling to stay where I've been.  Not everyone gets the chance to witness such a powerful display of surrender.  I will not waste the moments I spent with her.  I promise...I will let them forever change me.



Dear Sweet LaRue...
You truly are a treasure.  A beautiful example to anyone who has had the chance to see your heart.  A worthy representation of what the love of Christ looks life.  A true worshipper.  A mighty warrior.  A kind and gentle helpmate to your family and friends.  A lover of Truth.  A strong, meek daughter of the King of kings.  A follower of the Word of God.  A patient teacher.  A storyteller.  A lover of bad jokes. (<--Emil)  You have blessed too many people to count.  Your legacy lives on in the hearts of the ones that you have touched.  Finish strong Rue.  You. Are. Loved.

8 comments:

  1. Tears flowing.....such a sweet, sweet, Godly woman! <3 LaRue

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  2. We love LaRue so much this message shook me to the core...prayers for a safe journey to Heaven

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  3. Laurie Bundy HarmonAugust 14, 2018 at 8:59 AM

    Thank You!!! Thanks to you and all the others for blessing her with this time of worship!!! Thank You for blessing me (us) with this!!! We are going to try to read this to her later on once I get the tears and emotions under control and she is awake to hear!!! To name a few, She is a wonderful mother, a precious gem, a wonderful role model, a wonderful sweet precious Christian example to me, my siblings and to others she has touched!!! This has been hard, I don't want her to go!!!...But I don't want to keep her here from her eternal healing, Jesus and Heaven!!! Thank you for the love and prayers for her, for my dad and our family!!!!!

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    1. Until we meet again...
      Our time with her is not done...only delayed.
      Especially when we lose someone so dear to us, our mission should become that much more passionate. Do not relent. Pray for the ones left behind and have no hope to see her again. It is not too late...

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  4. Beautifully written and conveys the thoughts of so many. LaRue is truly loved for all that you mentioned and even more <3

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  5. LaRue, Thank you for being a Godly example of a wife,mother, friend and loved one and most of all a Godly Warrior. God certainly chose You, to show us, what "Agape Love" was meant to be. Your journey is not over. It is transitioning into the Life we Christians, all long for but don't know how to do so. Help us to understand this better. Help us to know how to rejoice during this transition. Help us to get our loved ones ready...until we cross over to the Glory of God's Kingdom, may you be comforted and peaceful in Jesus Holy Name..Amen

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  6. I love LaRue!!! I wish I were home to tell her in person how much she has meant to me over the years. Such a kind and gentle soul. She is a true example of the Proverbs 31 woman. She was my son’s favorite Sunday school teacher. I always enjoyed visiting with her. May her Savior be especially near to her and her family at this time. Love and prayers!

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