Will You Remember Me?

     Have you ever wondered how you will be remembered or even if you will be remembered at all?  The last few days have brought sweet memories of a wonderful lady.  I knew her as a child, she mentored me as a young woman.  She left a mark on my life.  Throughout life I think of her occasionally, when I drive by her home or read a good book. When I pack for a mission trip, or even when I iron.  Who is she?
     Frances Armour.  This woman who got a third grade education and no more went on to become one of the foremost librarians in the Hamilton County Baptist Association.  She read every book, or had it read by a trusted reader, that went on the shelf of her library.  She was called upon to train librarians across Tennessee.  She loved a good book and kept detailed records about all that she touched. 
     As a young child I remember going into her library to check out a book.  My favorites were the series on missionaries.  Stories about people who had given their lives to go to someplace remote or far away to share the name of Jesus.  Even as I write I can see the covers of the books with the pictures of people whose names I can't recall.  I remember the excitement of getting to take that book home to read and learn about what they were doing.  I remember thinking, I want to be a missionary.  
    Later in life, I was honored to work alongside Mrs. Armour.  She became a dear friend.  She taught me how to manage a library.  I appreciated all she taught me.  Though I did not have a desire to run a library for the rest of my life, the lessons were applicable to living.  She expected things to be done right.  Pay attention to the detail.  Stand up for what you believe.  Do not put anything on the shelf that you would be embarrassed for someone to read.  The list goes on and on.
     Today I live out the desire she allowed to blossom way back then.  Each week as she would say, "This book is about...." somehow I knew she was opening the door to a beautiful new world for me.  In just three short weeks I will travel to Haiti for my fourth time.  I get to teach the women there and equip them for their own mission trip to the remote regions of their own country.  I will spend the week in a village where white people are rarely seen (perhaps only once before.)  I will get to sleep on an air mattress in a mosquito tent and may not even get to bathe all week.  We're hoping there will be a latrine.  Still, I can't wait!  The people there have become family.  Their daily struggle to survive yet maintain joy unspeakable is more than inspirational.   
     So, why the memories?  She bought the cover for my ironing board when I got married twenty-eight years ago.  I had to replace it yesterday.  It was hard.  Like throwing away a piece of her. 
     It all led me to ask myself, what have I done that people will remember?  Have I inspired anyone to serve Jesus?
     Thank you, Frances Armour!

A Fresh Start

     As you can see, I have changed the look of my blog.  It's time for a change.  I was just playing around with the settings and found this color scheme.  It made me happy, and it matched my butterfly, so here it is.  Nothing else has changed, really.  My welcome statement should change only to say that it has now been thirty years since I met Jesus.  Otherwise, the new look is basically some spring cleaning and fresh decorations.  I hope you like it.
     Today is the first day of my summer vacation.  It is perfect.  The breeze is blowing in some rain, so I am sitting in my favorite spot on my back porch.  

     As the clouds gather in, the birds get more active.  They are flying around and looking for food, singing loudly.  Jack has gone inside to his pillow and is curled up for a long nap.  And here I am enjoying the day.
     I came across the most interesting statement in my Bible this morning.  I've always loved the rain, sitting on the porch and feeling the breeze rush over me, watching the clouds gather and form into a summer shower or a full-blown storm.  I think I feel the presence of God more in times like that.  In Exodus, while God was giving Moses the commandments, the people of Israel were seeing and hearing what was happening.  God had covered the mountain with a thick cloud.  His glory was just too much for them.  They stood below listening to the thunder and watching the lightening flash.  They heard the trumpet and saw the smoke....and they were afraid.  So, they said to Moses, YOU tell us what's going on, don't let God speak to us so we don't die.  
     Then, these words:  "The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was." I WANT TO GO WHERE GOD IS!  I don't want to be the one standing far off while you and everyone else goes where God is.  I don't want to miss out on what God is doing or even refuse to listen to him on a personal level.  In the words of Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."
I am going to listen intently to know what God is telling me.  I am going to move and go where he is.  It's more than spring cleaning and freshening up, it's a purposeful walk so as not to miss out on the things God has planned for me.  
     The rain cloud you see in the picture above just passed over. With it a brief shower and stronger wind.  Behind it?  Clear blue sky and sunshine.
     What about you?  Are you interested in listening to God or are you just waiting for someone else to tell you what they know about him?  Have you missed out on a wonderful opportunity to serve because you didn't want to enter the cloud?   Have you been there, totally in awe of his glory?  Will you leave a comment and let us know how you have met with God and seen his glory?  It's time to start Living Transformed.