Chairs

Shade tree on a summer day. Strong sun in full blaze. And a small group of chairs in the cool shade. 

What happened in the chairs beneath the cool shade? Were they telling family stories on each other? Were they shelling peas or silking the corn? Were they eating a hamburger or eating watermelon?

They are just chairs in the shade of a large tree.

But as I drove buy that rural house and saw the semi-circle of metal and wooden straight-backed chairs, I could almost hear the sound of cheer.

What did this family possess that so many others can not find? Time spent together. Underneath that tree had been a family that liked being together, working together, or enjoying simple pleasures together. 

They were not strongly tied to the television, smartphone, or computer. They were tied together.

So many families hurt and ache because although they live together, they don't know each other. Husbands loose touch with their wives, and wives don't understand their husbands. Dad does not know why the kids seem to always be 'glued' to a smartphone, and mom is wonders who her daughter is chatting with on the computer. And no one knows who their uncles, aunts, are. What are cousins?

Maybe what this world needs is a power outage. Force people to get outside under the trees, and remember who they are. Tell silly stores on each other. Do a project together. Eat a juicy peaches and laugh at as the juice drips from our chins.

Friends, what have you done to bring your family together this week?

"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!