A FRIEND

God has blessed me over the years by dropping compassionate folks into my life. I’ve “posted” about some of them previously, though “compassion” wasn’t the topic. Today, this lady’s name popped into my heart, while I was wondering how to approach this subject, and I decided to share about her.

Nearly four years ago Dave and I changed churches. While attending the Ladies Sunday School class, “she” arrived a couple Sundays after my first time there. I was amazed at the others’ response when she walked in. They were so welcoming, so happy to see her – much love, appreciation and respect for her. She and her husband had been on the road for more than two months helping a woman move to California, and helping their family members in Pennsylvania and Ohio. I immediately knew I’d like her. It wasn’t very long before I also found that she had a heart for me beyond anything I had experienced in many years.

Example: Just as we changed churches, our grandson, Jack, had a very serious kidney crash. I was heart broken and frantic. The crisis went on for months. If I walked into the classroom, and the ladies asked how things were going, and I burst into tears, she would rush over and hold me. This is the way she is to me and everyone else. I think each of us feels we are very special, number one in her life. She treats us all graciously.

I thought she was significantly older than I, because she dressed very [very] conservatively and had white, white hair. Well, she’s only about 4 years older than I am – her hair turned white after an operation when she was in her early 30s. A couple years ago we “adopted” each other. I’m the oldest in my family; she’s the young one in hers. So, she is my older sister; I am her younger one.

Even though we live less than mile from each other, we rarely are able to spend casual or lengthy time together because she and her husband are gone, either locally or nationally, on a nearly everyday basis. No matter who needs help, where they need it, and what they need, if she and hubby are available, they will do whatever they can. When someone’s coming through town and needs a place to stay, their house is open – sometimes a dozen people staying in their small house and everyone just laughing and playing games and enjoying each other. When he retired, they didn’t want to be bored; well, they aren’t. They hardly have time to breathe between “ministry moments”.

I guess she’s not perfect. She says so all the time. I’m sure her family sees flaws. I simply don’t notice... unless you count the fact that she doesn’t know the meaning of the word “no” if an opportunity to serve drops across her path.

She would be thoroughly embarrassed if I put her name in this post, so I won’t. However, I’m adding this partial photo of the two of us and even though her face won't be recognizable to anyone who isn’t connected directly to us, even with the small bit, I’m sure you can see her love.