Faith and Fellowship

     Two sisters of mine in the faith have gone to heaven over the last two weeks. One I had not seen in a couple of years, but her wisdom, her sweet prayers and her love will remain with all who knew her. She had the heart of a servant.

     The other, Elaine, was a fellow-sojourner over the last twenty-some years. We served together at two different churches and she may be the strongest woman I have ever known. Her first husband died many years ago at a young age and she ran a dairy farm for four years with a young daughter.

     Over twenty years ago, when she was 70 years old, she contracted a virus in her heart in the hospital after knee surgery. The doctors gave her one year to live. She said, “ I choose not to believe that. I believe in the power of prayer.” This story, along with many others, became one of her famous “God stories,” as she called them. She was opinionated, stubborn and had a heart of gold.

     Over the years, Elaine and her second husband, took in several foster children. One of them spoke at the memorial service. After surviving several different foster homes from the age of 12 to 17, Elaine came into her life. Elaine spoke words of life and faith into her and remained in her life for the last thirty years.

     Elaine was frail and in and out of the hospital over the past two years, but she still called many of us before the election to remind us how to vote! I will never forget her. She also spoke words of life into me. She listened, she loved, she cooked and offered hospitality to one and all, and she knew how to stand firm in the faith, no matter what.

     She designed her funeral service down to the last detail. The girl who sang, “Children of the Heavenly Father,” said it was a direct order from Elaine. The pastor apologized for doing the prayer too early according to Elaine’s format. The caterers made Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberries. (Not the usual ham sandwiches and potato salad!)

     What a legacy to leave. We laughed together, cried together, and savored the memories of this remarkable 91-year-old woman of God. My friend Connie and I were able to see her shortly before she died. We were able to tell her what she meant to us as we prayed over her. I gave her these Scriptures not long ago. They will always remind me of our Elaine.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on the law, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Elaine. You kept her active and strong until the end, like a tree whose leaf does not wither. Now she is living in the midst of living water, never to be weak again. What hope and comfort this brings us, to know she is home with her Savior.

In Jesus name,

Amen