This past Sunday night my friend Beverly went home to be with Jesus after a long battle with breast cancer. I have written about her several times before. She leaves behind a devoted husband, 8 children, parents, siblings, nieces & nephews. She was 2 months shy of her 46th birthday. She was taken to young. But in all things we know that God knows better than we do. God knows how many hairs are on our heads & how many breaths we will take. God has a plan. In my own sorrow & grief I have worried over those sweet babies left behind. I have awakened at night worried & fretting. But every time I do, God puts His hand on my shoulder & says "Don't you know I am in control? Don't you know I have a plan? Trust me!" I do know He has a plan & I know those sweet children will be okay, due mostly to the legacy Beverly is leaving behind. Her legacy will be that of faith. Never did Beverly doubt God's plan in this. She did not want to leave her husband & children but she was willing to go if that was God's plan. She knew her death would not be in vain, & that was proven even today at the funeral when at least 2 accepted Christ! Even in the valley of the shadow of death she did not fear evil or death. She knew when she took her last breath that her next would be at the foot of Jesus. Her last words were "The angels are here to get me!" And I have no doubt that the next words she heard were "Well done thy good & faithful servant!"
When I think about the Proverbs 31 woman, I think of Beverly...
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
~Cass
