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Celebrating Life

Sitting on the very front pew, in between two other women who had much longer relationships than I had with Mom Ruth, I found myself recalling how over 30 years ago my husband and I came upon this church.  Yes, we happened to come upon this church, the first time being a Sunday evening, when we quietly slipped into a hard wooden pew in the very back.  The old sanctuary was built in the round, with all the pews circling the pulpit and choir loft.  It had been a long while that I had been in church, and even then I felt my heart being tugged by the Spirit in that place.  However, it wouldn't be until another 4 or 5 years later that it would become a home church for us.  At that time, it was a refuge for me when my husband was healing in a rehab center.  By then there was a new modern sanctuary, but the same Spirit was there and evident.  Most of all the people made us feel welcomed and loved, and we were taken under the wings of particular older couples.  They made us feel like indeed we were part of their family.  But time moves through each of us, and in all the years you share with one another, you never imagine that day is coming when all you will have left is wonderful memories. One by one, the wives and husbands have been sweetly ushered into eternity.  Mom Ruth is almost one of the last ones to go, having persisted for 100 years.  You never understand God's timing, especially when physically the body can be so worn with life, but He always has a bigger picture in mind, and I am sure her final prayers for me and our family were certainly heard and needed. . .  

There was something so special about Ruth's generation of people. She comes from the same stock of Mom and Daddio.  Demonstrating sincerity and genuineness, and constantly pouring out love to any and everyone who would receive it; these were just a few traits they shared with one another.  Willing to invest time in those that would come behind them was a priority for them.  My time spent with Mom Ruth on Saturdays was such a boost to me, that it was always hard to leave, and we both eagerly looked forward to the next month when we would do it again.  My husband also appreciated that time I had with her, often reminding me that I was "so much better" after I had been with Ruth.   

Yes, I am "so much better" because of Mom Ruth.  I have embraced my purpose in life to love; love without limits or conditions, love as Jesus would, humbly and genuine.  Be faithful in love, endure the hardships and battles in life with love.  Be forgiving in love, giving up grudges and resentments.  Above all love God with all my heart, even though I wonder if my love sometimes is just a very strong like, as I often feel that humanly I could never love Him in the way He truly is worthy of.  Still amazing to me, that He extended His love to me through His Son and through very special people like Ruth.  

 All I can say is thank you Lord.  Thank you for blessing me with such wonderful relationships with your people who faithfully loved and served you.  Thank you for the privilege of being in their family, and being "the daughter" of my dear Mom Ruth. . .



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