-Elisabeth Elliott
Two months since the surgery and time keeps moving on. I have struggled with a little bit of discouragement as I’m sure many people have post-surgery or post-anything-that-causes-upheaval-in-life! You know how your adrenalin gets pumping when you have to get through a difficult situation? Well, I think mine has depleted and drained out by now and has left me thinking, “well, what now God?” – a vague and somewhat unappreciative question, but luckily God still answers. He still speaks to my heart about being patient and puts verses and quotes in my path (like the one above) that remind me to leave the future to him.
Recently I was convicted by the thought
that patience is not just a nice thing to have like politeness or manners. From
a Christian point of view it is a fruit of the spirit and it has to be on the
list for a reason. We may like the other ones better (love, joy, etc.) but
patience is a virtue God wants us to cherish too. It reflects part of his
nature. In fact, it reflects nature itself! Living in Wyoming has taught me
that seasons don’t move quickly. Roads stay closed as snow takes it’s time to
melt. Trees are very tentative about releasing their buds until they’re
absolutely sure the last shocks of winter are over, and then when the time
comes for those leaves to fall it doesn’t happen in one day either, they generally
drift off one by one. I can’t imagine what would happen if I was in charge of
nature! I’d have those trees zipped in and out of their foliage in the blink of
an eye!
As I learn to be patient I also learn that
our time on earth is fleeting and must be meaningful. I must take advantage of
every day rather than waiting for a family and for my life to finally “start.” And
nothing makes us appreciate life like death. My heart was touched recently by
the beautiful life of my friend’s mother – Joy Ellis – whose time on earth came
to an end on the 4th of June. She battled cancer for many years and finally went home to be with the Lord. She will be deeply missed. Selfishly I must note
that she was such a blessing to me in my recent trials and was concerned about
me and prayed for me and encouraged me even as her own chemo treatments were
not working and she was heading down the path to hospice care.
Even in her death she was a great encouragement
to me. Her funeral was beautiful, meaningful and glorifying to God. One of the
last books she read was “Don’t waste your Cancer” by John Piper and a few
excerpts were shared in her eulogy. Most impactful to me was the statement that
“beating” cancer is not the goal, instead it is our prerogative to continue to
cherish God no matter what. Joy may not have survived her cancer, but she did
succeed in cherishing God. She cherished him until the end, never denied him,
and was ultimately accepted into his loving arms in heaven.
Lastly, I must include a quote from Joy
that is so simple, but has the possibility to be life changing. Her husband
Philip told us a story about Joy in the kitchen recently – one of her favorite
places! As Joy was ailing she decided to teach him how to make his favorite
kind of cookie for after she was gone. He assembled the ingredients and she
gave instructions from the couch. When it came time to add the vanilla she
instructed him to add not one but two teaspoons. “But the recipe says one
teaspoon,” Philip replied.
“Don’t be afraid to be generous,” said Joy.
It resonated with Philip and it resonates
with me too. There is a lot of wisdom in a dying woman’s words – especially one
who has lived a full and Godly life. I’m happy to hear that generosity was one
of her final entreaties.
Lord help me to be generous with my
patience!In loving memory of Joy
Link to obituary
