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Graduation Blessings

Alice graduated this last week. 

She is 89. Yeah. Pretty special.

This lady has my utmost respect. Her twinkle eyes make me feel proud of something I do, yet at times the same eyes spoke to straighten my path when I make a left turn. Her tender voice offers encouragement that can break up any cloudy day.

She is a grammarian who doesn't mind correcting any improper word in her firm, loving way, even the Pastor's. No one minds. That's just Alice.

Alice loves special music during church services. A teen girl and I played flute duets for ten years or so. I moved away. But before I did, we compiled our songs and made a CD. Copies were handed out to many church members. But for some crazy reason, I forgot to give one to Alice. Bad me.

Alice saw me at church the Sunday I left and asked when she'd receive her CD. Immediately after church, I went home, made another copy and ran it over to her house. Ahhh. There the smile came. And the twinkle eyes.

Six years later my hubby and I moved back, and I longed to see people like Alice.

Alice dresses like a First Lady.  Classy. Graceful. Dignified.

She volunteers for programs at church, SS teacher, AWANA direction, listener, and leader. She knows the Bible like wish I did. She asks questions like, "How did the people in the Old Testament know it was God speaking to them?" She digs deep, and searches for the hidden blessings and meanings underneath the words. What an example. I love listening to her when she feels a prompting to speak up about something.

Alice once said, "I have an on-going conversation with God." She doesn't have "prayer times," God is included in all her thoughts and conversations. It doesn't mean she does everything perfectly, but who does? There aren't Sunday refreshers to her time with God, or daily devotional infusions. She walks alongside God. Knowing He sees her bad and good choices.

Our pastor has a saying when the saints finish their assigned program. He says they graduate. Last Tuesday, Alice, full of godly grace and wisdom saw Jesus face to face.

And for some strange reason, I didn't cry. I smiled, thinking about what she might be doing in heaven, right now. She is still the lady I know, just there instead of here.

Reader: Who has been or is a special blessing in your walk with Christ?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well said. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you:)
Mark and Diane said…
Beautiful! Can't wait to see Alice again and many others who have gone before us to our eternal home - heaven.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, Mary. Alice did her work on earth well and, in the end, showed us how to die well, too.
Me too. It will much more than we can ever imagine. Although I do try, and my limited imagination has some pretty cool ideas:) Talking with the Apostle Paul, Dr. Luke, Moses, David. Wow.
Full of grace, godliness, and beauty. :)
Anonymous said…
I love her. You hit the nail on the head with this writing about her. Suzi
Thanks, Suzi :)

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