Eastland eBulletin 12-10-06
Potpourri
- Remember the kid’s bulletin in the foyer.
- Today’s speaker is Reggie Robarts.
- The monthly kid’s singing is this afternoon at 4:25.
- I am preparing the 2007 Bible reading charts. I am adding another schedule — a 1-year New Testament schedule. Reading this will get you through the New Testament in a single year. If you choose this, you will continue to use the existing charts to track your weekly progress. The other charts will also be available (1 year canonical; 1 year chronological; 1 year kid’s; 2-year).
- Transportation: R Wilson, Durbin
- Lord’s Supper: B Crowder, S Neal
- Meals: M Feldman, R Woosley
- Deacon: R Wilson
- Usher: B Price
- AV: B Blain, M Durbin, A Woosley
- Snow Removal: T Price, B Price, J Price, S Boatright
Martha’s Benediction
By Cloyce Sutton II
I could not count the number of times I heard her say it. I know it was something she said often. I heard it most often when it was our month to drive her to and from church.
At some point in the conversation, Martha Puckett would say, “I just wish everybody was as blessed as I am.” I call it “Martha’s Benediction”.
Martha’s Benediction was a magnanimous statement for anyone to make. It was especially appropriate on the lips of this delightful, 96-year-old saint.
Her benediction was an explicit acknowledgement of her blessings. In a culture saturated with self-esteem, it is rare to find people who will acknowledge that what they are and have comes from an outside source. Unlike the mindset that says, “I’m worth it! I deserve it! I’ve earned it!” Martha often said, “People are so good to me.”
Her benediction was a desire for others to have what she had. This was remarkable considering that she did not have much. She lived for decades in an assisted living environment. She lived simply with few possessions, but much joy. What few possessions she had she shared. I recall her treating a visiting preacher to lunch at the cafeteria of her nursing home. And her abundant joy, she abundantly shared.
Her benediction included a large space for her family, one of her most prized blessings. Her room was a veritable shrine to family. Her door, her dresser, her table, her walls — everything in her room was decorated with photos of family, and artwork from grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And her family prized her as much as she prized them.
Her benediction allowed plenty of room for friends. She enjoyed being around people. I remember her expressing frustration that she had difficulty identifying some of the people she would meet at church. I made a comment that with so many people, it was difficult to remember all of them. “My memory is fine! My eyesight keeps me from seeing them,” was her curt reply. Martha’s friendship with Carol Stough was a joy to witness. Martha often said, “I don’t know what I’d do without Carol.” I imagine Carol felt the same way.
Martha’s benediction was centered upon her faith. Only three or four years ago, she was forced to move to another care facility when the Moorman Home closed. I know many an adult (myself included) who don’t take moving too well. Martha took it in stride. Just a few weeks after she moved she started bringing her neighbors to church. Through her influence, we had a weekly singing at the nursing home for about two years. And through her influence, two of her neighbors, Carol Stough and Margaret Roberts were converted to Christ.
Martha’s benediction was ultimately an expression of her hope. Her favorite color was purple. Purple is the royal color, the color of a monarch’s robe. Paul promised, “if we endure, we will reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). John’s concluding vision sees the saints reigning with Jesus “forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). I’m not sure what heavenly purple looks like, but it is easy to picture Martha enrobed in it. It is a perfect fit.
For those of us who were enriched by her godly example, we certainly hope to share her benediction. We hope that in the future we will be blessed as she is now.
Prayers For Daily Living
Prayer on a Weekday Morning
John Wesley (1701-1793)
O God, who are the giver of all good gifts, I your unworthy servant entirely desire to praise your name for all the expressions of your bounty toward me. Blessed be your love for giving your Son to die for our sins, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Blessed be your love for all the temporal benefits which you have with a liberal hand poured out upon me; for my health and strength, food and raiment, and all other necessaries with which you have provided your sinful servant. I also bless you, that after all my refusals of your grace, you still have patience with me, have preserved me this night, and given me yet another day to renew and perfect my repentance.
Make yourself always present to my mind, and let your love fill and rule my soul, in all those places, and companies, and employments to which you call me this day. O you who are good and do good, who extend your loving-kindness to all mankind, the work of your hands, your image, capable of knowing and loving you eternally; suffer me to exclude none, O Lord, from my charity, who are the objects of your mercy; but let me treat all my neighbours with that tender love which is due to your servants and to your children. Let your love to me, O blessed Saviour, be the pattern of my love to them.
Preserve my parents, my brothers and sisters, my friends and relations, and all mankind, in their souls and bodies. Forgive my enemies, and in your due time make them kindly affected toward me. O grant that we, with those who are already dead in your faith and fear, may together partake of a joyful resurrection.
Following Day-by-Day
Richard Wyche (1197-1253)
Praise to thee, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast won for me, for all the pains and insults thou hast born for me. Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly day-by-day. Amen.
