The Smallest Things

 

I'm sorry this post is later in the week than usual. We had a busy day Monday and it took me a while to get caught up.

Monday was the funeral of a dear sweet lady. She came to Houston when her husband retired and they lived just two streets over from us for many years. Her daughter was already a friend of ours so we were quickly friends. Every time I saw her sweet face at worship services, she would say, "Hi Neighbor." Memories like that have a way of warming my heart.

Sweet Peggy suffered from Alzheimer's for the last several years of her life. We didn't see her at worship either. I missed her sweet smile and her "Hi Neighbor."

Her funeral service was a celebration of a wonderful life. The preacher started the service by saying, "I made Peggy giggle." And that set the tone for a walk down memory lane, remembering the amazing foods she made, the times she spent with her grandchildren, the affect she had on her 2nd grade students through the years. She had a profound impact on all the lives she touched. We sang 10 songs, songs that Peggy loved. That woman loved to sing, and she passed that love to her children and her grandchildren.

I was reminded of some lessons we can all learn from our dear sister who has gone on to her reward.

Even the little things count. I was impressed by the memories that were shared about this sweet lady. It was the small things that made an impression on those who knew her. She taught 2nd graders, children at an impressionable age, something that might not be considered important. The story was told of a young woman who was about to graduate high school who brought Peggy a dozen roses. The young woman told Peggy what an impact she had had on her life. She said she never got involved in drinking or drugs because Peggy always told her it was ok to be different.

The grandchildren remembered fondly the foods she would make for them, even something as simple as cookies were special because of the time spent with their grandmother. Many members at our congregation remembered fondly the foods she would bring to them when they were ill or had lost a family member, especially her sour cream pound cake. These seem like such small things but they made a huge impact on others.

You are never too old to serve the Lord. The only memories I have of this sweet lady were of her in her later years. Yet she still had an impact on me. She made me want to be a better person. She made me want to strive to serve others in a quiet, unassuming way. Her grandchildren were affected by her wonderful life, too, but she was an "older woman" when they came along. This kind woman never quit serving the Lord, and her influence didn't stop, even when her mind was muddled by that awful disease.

Never grow weary in doing good. Peggy always had a kind word for everyone she met. I never remember seeing her too tired to smile and ask about you, how your day was going. She kept doing the things she had always done, even as her mind was leaving her. It must have been so tiring to try to remember things that just wouldn't come to her, but it didn't seem to affect her temperament.

Your life can continue to impact others, even after you are gone. Even though she is gone, she is still having an impact on others. Her grandchildren will remember her their entire lives and will strive to be better because of her example. I have found myself being much more thoughtful of others, much more kind to others, while remembering Peggy this week. I pray that I will continue to remember her and let it encourage me to be a better person.

Proverbs 31 describes a woman of virtue and I believe Peggy tried every day to live that kind of life. I believe she was successful at it.

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. (NASB) My prayer is that the life I live will be such that I will have a positive influence on others even after I am gone.