FINISHING WELL

The memory of the righteous
is blessed, but the name of
the wicked will rot.
Proverbs 10:7

In preparing for Sunday's lessons for my ladies, I was reading in Proverbs where I needed to read for an extra dose of wisdom. Reading in Psalms boosts my joy so I try to read in it daily just as I do Proverbs. I left my usual reading schedule and found myself in chapter 10 of Proverbs. There wasn't anything unusual about that except that in the margin of that chapter there is a list...a long list. That list consists the first names of ladies who have beat me to the door of Heaven. Ladies listed there are ladies I would also consider who had been righteous in their own influence and personal lives.

As I look at this list, there isn't a perfect lady on it. I personally know of the flaws of some of those ladies as I was closer to some than others. Those flaws seem so minor now because I know that at this moment, all flaws are gone and they are enjoying the time of their lives...being in the very presence of Jesus.

I look at the ladies on my list and find they all have one thing in common. From a human and personal standpoint, I consider that they finished this life well. Some left for Heaven after having suffered long periods of illness, many with cancer of some sort. There were for some, accidents causing a quicker life's end than I would have liked. Some died suddenly with various health issues where God spared them a lengthy lingering.

Notice in the verse I have used, the last part of the verse. It addresses the wicked where basically, their name isn't worth putting on any list with the righteous. When folks think of them after their demise, there are few pleasant memories, especially in the spiritual realm. Perhaps their lives were lived for self, wallowing in the things of the world, treating people, whether family or friends, in negative ways. In many cases, such folks maybe didn't know Jesus at all. There are some folks who claim the name of Christ who have also not lived the righteous life that would be God pleasing. None of these folks have finished well, where they have left behind very little in the way of positive influences. As I look at my list, I don't have any of these folks in the margin of my Bible.

It is encouraging as I look at my list remembering my relationship with these ladies. On my list are former Sunday school teachers. Some are ladies I had the privilege of working with through the years in various jobs. I've only had one lady who died while a member of a Sunday school class of mine. I think of her so often and her encouraging ways. Then there are all the friends on my list, down through the years, who blessed my life and added a spiritual dimension to my life that is unbelievable. I know Jesus so much better because of them. Those on my list are of varying ages, some very educated while some may have not made it through high school. The oldest on my list was in her 80's when she went to be with the Lord. Most would be around my age now if they had lived to that point.

The ladies on my list are there because I consider they finished well. I wish their influence could have been extended for a longer period of time, but those things are in God's very capable hands. I think of them more often than I can say. Their names ring so often in my ears, especially when there is an event that brings them to mind. I think of Elaine who died from cancer, but through that, I came to know her mom, Thelma, with whom I had lunch every Wednesday for many months. She and I shared a love for books by R.A.Torrey. Thelma, too, is on my special list. I still miss so many others on that list who all left an imprint on my life. Each lady, I knew personally and loved.

This has all come to my mind because today, I added another name to that list. Unlike the others, I have never met this dear lady in person, but have followed her and her family for several months now. As I write, she went to Heaven yesterday afternoon. Thousands if not more have been following her venture with cancer. We have prayed for her and her family. We've marveled at her loving and attentive husband. We've watched her attention to her 2 year old little girl...teaching her, reading to her and loving on her until all of her strength was gone. Her name is Joey Feek.

She and her husband Rory have warmed our hearts with their songs that tell stories of the sweet things of life. Their last CD, record breaking at this time, was of her favorite hymns. Never having met Joey, I like so many, feel like I knew her. She was in the age range of my two daughters which really made her seem very young to me...”too young for Heaven,” I thought in weaker moments. I've learned, though, in these years of my own life that God does all things well. His purposes are so much higher than we can ever understand. I just know I have learned and benefited from Joey's witness, faith and yes, suffering. Her saga was so public that some might feel was too much. However, that was a part of her ministry in all of this along with Rory by her side every moment. I do believe that this dear young lady at the age of 40 probably packed more of life and love into those years than many manage by the age of 75.

Come what may, I've seen again that I really can do everything through Christ. I've seen this in the lives of all of my “list people.” In His strength, you and I, too, can endure what comes our way and hopefully, like with Joey and others, people will see Jesus in our lives. It is all possible, because of Jesus...who finished best of all.

Thank You Jesus, for the dear people You bring into our lives through whom we are blessed and from whom we learn more about You. Help us to be an influence for You in the lives of others. Thank You for those “just” folks You brought into my life for a time, but who are with You now. In Your precious name....Amen