"Mrs. Stevie"

Mrs. "Stevie": "Where were you at this morning? I looked around the church building and I didn't see you? You should be here, you know?"

Me: "I was here, Mrs. Stevie. I sat back by Ken and Diana. You didn't see me?"

Mrs. "Stevie": Are you 'back-sliding'? (eyes twinkling) "Well, I was looking for you to be sitting in front of me, like  you always do."

Me: "Mrs. Stevie, thanks for caring." (hugging her)

Mrs. "Stevie": "You know I do, and all your kids and your wife, too!"

Me: "I know!"

Conversations like these were a staple of Mrs. Gladys Stevens. A wiry little grin from a caring spit-fire of a woman made her everyone's delight. Everyone appreciated Mrs. "Stevie's" motherly guidance, courage, caring ways, and her twinkling eyes.

I met her at about 77 years old. I saw her at every service of the church. Her  broken hip when she was in her 90s did not stop her. She loved Jesus.

Not many see 100 birthdays, and even fewer stay faithful to God's writings.

• Christians should encourage each other to faithful attendance, "and so much the more as you see the day approaching." She did.
• Moral excellence is a tall order. But she did it.
• Knowing Christ's ways and being able to use it to separate good and evil is a goal for Christians. She achieved it.
• In control under diverse situations is achievable when we concentrate on the ultimate goal. Jesus did. So can we. Look at Mrs. Stevie.
• Everyone wants to 'give-up' and quit at some point. This is not the way Jesus lived, and neither should we. We must persevere if we want heaven. She did.
• Godliness (God-like-ness) is a noble goal for any Christian. Good works are evidence. She was godly.
• And a godly woman is to be valued, trusted, admired for her dedication to work and family. She was.
• Godly women are investors, hard-workers, skilled, generous givers, well dressed and supportive of her husband. She worked hard.
• Godly women make good business people. She was successful.
• Christian women are to be strong and dignified. Stevie epitomized these.
• Christians women take great pleasure at looking into the future. She did.
• Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren can see the Christian woman's wisdom, kind teaching, ambition, and praise her. Stevie's family did.

It has been well said by Solomon, "A woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

God wanted this kind woman near him, and took her home. 

Mrs. Gladys Stevens, dead at 102. 

To God: "Thanks for loaning her to us for a little while."

To "Stevie": "Thanks!

Be A Kid

Adults are inclined to think like adults. The adult thought pattern, with its complexities and biases, tends to produce practices not productive to God's plans.

Adults:

• are skeptical.
• shake their heads, watching 'heroes' fall into disgraceful living.
• see gray instead of black and white.
• sit and watch others.
• ignore differences for tolerance and political correctness.
• are cruel to people (of road rage?) and animals (ASPCA?).
• refuse to improve through learning new ideas, or declining to adopt good learning practices .
• want to be pleased.
• allow friendships to fade into oblivion.
• are ambivalent or apathetic.
• are greedy and selfish.
• tell personal tales and become isolated from current opportunities.
• want others to take over their jobs.
• are prideful of who their person and accomplishments. 
• lack affection 
• are rude and hateful.

Does Jesus desire these traits in his family? I think not.

Once the adult disciples were thing like adults, They tried to control the crowd like an adult. Parents and grandparents wanted their children to see Jesus, maybe to touch Him or shake His hand. They were being rebuked by adult-thinking disciples.

Jesus rarely got upset, but the adult behavior of His disciples, preventing children from approaching Him, was not good. He became indignant. Jesus was very displeased with His adult acting students.

He claimed a moment for teaching them the characteristics He wants in His church. It was not what they expected. He said God's kingdom is made up "of such AS these." He added, "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God LIKE A CHILD will not enter it at all."

To be a part of Is kingdom, I must struggle to exhibit child-like qualities. I must:

• believe what I read about Jesus.
• appreciate love, kindness, and affection.
• return love, kindness, and affection.
• try to please Jesus through obedience.
• be humble like a child.
• be efficient learners of Jesus, God, the Bible, etc.
• accept responsibilities as they are offered.
• be understanding and responsive to the hurts and needs of others.
• talk about what I am doing (such as TheStruggle and preaching), and share my experiences.
• be aware of the differences in people.
• willing to give more to others.
• be active in His Kingdom.
• be enthusiastic about my relationship with Jesus, and sharing the hope.
• discern between good and bad, eliminating gray areas.
• strenthen the ties with my friends.
• emulate my hero, Jesus.

Will you be my friend and join me in reverting back to a better life?
-------------------

Do you have a subject you would like to read about? Please let me know. Email me your requests.

Please write your comments about this post in the box below, select (or create an identity), and submit your thoughts to the moderator. He is fair and posts comments quickly.