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.

Monday, January 27, 2020

What Was Her Worth?

We said our last goodbye to the earthly shell of my Great Aunt Nancy today.  While I sat and thought back on the impact that she made, God spoke so clearly to me.

'What was her worth?'

If you sought after an answer of her worth in the eyes of the world...you would find that it was almost nothing.  Her monetary possessions were not impressive, nor were they many.  Her bank account was humble.  Her closet was not filled with fashion.  To the world, she had little of value.

But I know that the world cannot offer the kind of worth that would impress the God that Nancy loved.

So, what was her worth?

Her worth was found in the way that she worshipped her Savior.  She was always loving in the way that she knew she was called to love.  She was always serving in the way that she knew she was able to serve.  She was always praying to the One who she knew could move mountains.  She was always encouraging with a soft voice and a genuine smile.  She served her King for all of the days that she was able and after that only her prayers remained.  And her Father was well pleased.

Her worth was found in the way that she gave of all that she had.  There was not a member of her family that didn't receive a small gift from Aunt Nancy.  And no matter how much you liked it or didn't like it...you loved it because you knew the heart that gave it.  She showed her love through countless hours baking in her tiny kitchen and endless trips to yard sales.  And her Father was well pleased.

Her worth was found in the way that she spoke.  In my 38+ years of life I never heard her speak poorly of anyone.  Not a single person.  It's as if she never forgot that it was the breath of God that breathed life into her lungs and she was not willing to waste a single one on gossip or slander or hatred.  She chose her words.  They didn't spew out like a bottle under pressure.  She had control over her tongue and she used her words to uplift the world around her.  And her Father was well pleased.

Her worth was found in the way that she lived after sorrow came after her home.  When her helpmate and earthly provider was gone in an instant...she still had a long life left to live.  She had reasons to give up.  To become angry and hostile towards God.  To let depression take away the years she had left.  To complain about how hard it was going to be to recover from such a tragedy.  While I was not there in the first years after her husband passed...I saw who she became.  There was not a day that she  was not filled with joy and gratitude.  Death did not break her spirit and sorrow certainly did not control her heart.  And her Father was well pleased.

I would love to turn out to be more like my sweet Aunt Nancy.  Choosing my words wisely.  Giving of whatever I have.  Blessing others as often as I am able.  Always having candy in my pocket for any kids that I may run into.  Joyful no matter what. --She was a worthy example of what a follower of Christ looked like...and I am better for having known and loved her.  Her Father was so so proud of His sweet baby girl.  And now that He has her Home, he will enjoy her hilarious jokes and contagious laughter for the rest of time

What is your worth?  If you reach for your bank statement or open the door of your home to prove your worth...you've missed it.  Your worth can not be measured in such things.  They will not be there on that final day.  The day that you see the King of kings before you and He asks...why should I let you into my Heaven...your bank, your car, your home, your jewels...they will not be there.

If Nancy's death could convince just one of her family/friends towards a relationship with Christ...know that she would have done it years ago.

That is how much she believed in the God that she loved.

That is how much she loved the people that God entrusted to her care.

She warred for them/us in prayer more than they ever knew.  She loved them/us no matter how long it had been since we came around.  She lived in a way that represented Christ well and I am so proud of how she clung to the joy of her Lord.

Her worth...was priceless.  It could not be taken away and it could not be measured.  It was too great for anything this world had to offer.  I can't wait to see the crown that Jesus designed for her.  His generous and sweet little girl.  I guarantee she has never seen anything so grand and beautiful....and she deserves every jewel in it.

Her Father was well pleased with all that she did in His Name and for His Glory.