Today I spent the day with an 86 year old woman making apple sauce, talking and most of all listening. I was so blessed by her wisdom. She and her (late) husband were married for 66 years! Can you imagine? Next year would have been 70 years, but sadly he passed a few years ago from cancer. I spent hours today listening to her tell stories of their love and how, no matter what, good or bad, they thanked the Lord and were very happy. They met when she was 15 years old at a roller skating rink. He was the only man she ever dated, or even held hands with. They were so in love. Together they have 3 children, 20 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren! She still lives in the house that, together, by hand, they built. Literally. She helped him pour the cement and and cut wood. She used to sew all of her children's clothes, they grew all their own vegetables, and raised chickens. I was so amazed listening to her.
She told me how they did everything together. They were each others best friends. And that how important it is to keep Christ in the center at all times. Pray together. Every day. As often as you can. She told me to love life. Look at everything we have and thank God for it all. If something bad happens, learn from it, and find how to glorify the Lord in it. Nothing is too difficult for Him and He is always faithful. She told me to always communicate. If it's something good, share it with you hubby. If it's something bad, share it with him also. And not to hold on to the bad and let it stew inside you. Not to get so mad over little things that don't really matter. That marriage is a beautiful gift from God and that it's meant to be fun, kind, full of love and excitement, and also, it's a journey together, husband and wife with Christ in the center.
I can't believe how much "spunk" she has at 86. (and what a sense of humor!) She still lives alone, cooks and cleans, sews her own pillows and curtains. She has the young girls from our church over one Sunday a month after church and teaches them sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and goes over scriptures with them. She is still very involved in our church with nursery, children's church and does bible club every Tuesday and Thursday. She is really an amazing lady whom I admire so, so much and have learned so much from. And most of all, she loves the Lord so much. She kept saying, repeatedly, that everything they ever went through was God's will for them and His grace. She still reads her bible every single day, morning and night. She has such a joy in her that I can't even describe. She told me she has grandchildren in Georgia and I asked her if she likes the warm weather better than what we have here in Pennsylvania. And she replied, "I love all weather. I just love life. I'm just thankful the Lord allows me to have another day, I don't care what the weather is. Weather means nothing when you've got the Lord". WOW! I pray to have that much gratitude and joy and love for life and more importantly, love and faith in the Lord.
I pray that my hubby, (and all of you) can grow together and learn together and always remember to keep Christ in the center.
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2
I was just speechless and incredibly blessed. I never thought spending a few hours making applesauce with an 86 year woman could be SUCH a blessing and that I would learn so much! Oh, and the applesauce? DELICIOUS! Best I've ever had.
Proverbs 31:10-31
The Virtuous Wife
10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
.JPG)
