Skip to main content

Remembering Elizabeth

For as long as I’ve know her, Elizabeth was notorious for being late. Last weekend, I attended her memorial service, scheduled ten weeks after her death. I learned it was planned that way because her husband and her boys were considerate of relatives and didn’t want them traveling afar frantically during the holidays. What was neat was that they held her Celebration of Life on her birth date. She would have been 58. Very nice touch, I thought.

Elizabeth was in our Yada Yada Book Club and we ladies cherished her gentle spirit. She loved Jesus with a passion.


Elizabeth is on the top row, far right.

I remember when we read a Christian fiction novel where one of the characters meticulously planned her future memorial service. The gal knew how she wanted to be remembered. Our book club discussion that day focused on our own legacies and we shared what we personally would want if we could plan our own service! Elizabeth shared that it would be important to her that her service be worshipful. She didn’t care about the details but wanted the Lord to be glorified, especially in the music.

In the midst of a fully-packed church in Sedona last Saturday, Elizabeth got her wish. Family and friends gathered from all over the country to honor her memory. My Yada Yada Sisters and I agree…the music, scriptures, testimonies and praises brought glory to the One Elizabeth worshipped and adored. She would have been pleased.

I close with a question all of us should ponder from time to time. Can others see Jesus in me? As Elizabeth would say, “It’s all about Him!”

Comments

  1. Such a beautiful tribute to your dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So young. I'm sure you miss her. She sounds like she was a beautiful lady inside and out! But isn't she blessed to be with Jesus right now!!
    Hugs to you my friend.
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful tribute!!

    My dear, I see Jesus every time I see your beautiful smile. Your heart pours out HIS love through your smile. I am thankful GOD brought you into my life.

    Hugs, andrea

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this picture sister Mary! You can just feel the love that you share between each other. And your warm and tender words about your friend proved it. There is nothing like that unity that comes from His love.
    Life is indeed so short and I'm sure you miss her. She's right. It's all about Him...God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Mary! What a blessing she is and was! I love it when HE gets the glory even when people are not here with us but have joined HIM! It truly is all about HIM and I thank God that each time I see your face or read your words you shine brightly for HIM in every way!

    Love you

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful way to bring tribute to her life!!! I pray that people see Jesus in me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh wow, this brought tears to my eyes ... how blessed you were to have known such a Lady!
    I'm captivated and curious about your "Yada, Yada" group ... please tell us more some day?!
    Hugs,
    Myra

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is so precious Mary. I want to cry. I can't imagine losing one of my friends, but I can relate that all of us would want it to be a celebration of Jesus and His goodness!

    I'm sorry about your loss friend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mary, what a beautiful tribute to your friend.

    I've had two best friends pass on to Glory and even though it was really tough I know that they are with Him....worshiping and rejoicing before the King!!

    I love the picture - what a time ya'll must have!!

    You bless me!!

    Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  10. And I greatly appreciate your previous post...will visit Kat's blog to find out more.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review of Biblical Minimalism and Give Away

What does minimizing look like?  To the empty nester it may mean downsizing real estate.  To the co-dependent, it may mean pitching some toxic friendships they tend to collect.  I thought I had a handle on Biblical minimalism, but I wasn’t even close.  Biblical minimalism is much more than cleaning out a drawer and discarding unwanted things into a box to take to the thrift store. In her book, Biblical Minimalism, Cheryl E. Smith defines Biblical minimalism as “a complete, whole person release of anything unlike Jesus, a letting go of everything that hinders us from following Him wholeheartedly and single- mindedly , and a relinquishing of all that brings us under bondage to this earthly, very temporary life.” The author gives us a visual of a whole pie that is divided into eight slices.  Each slice describes our lives with areas to analyze to see if pruning or adjustment is needed.  I won’t name them all, but one example is the “emotional ...

Abba's Lap

I noticed a behavior pattern in little Amy, twenty months old, that I want to imitate.  She moves fast engaging in one toddler activity after another spinning like a whirlwind from one room to another.  Yet, she pauses,  intermittently , long enough to get refreshed.   I want to be like this grandchild of mine because she knows where to go and how to get comforted. Amy moves at record speed, putting more miles on a pedometer in one hour than my accumulated weekly workouts at the gym.  She can build a skyscraper so tall, I wonder why those bright pink Lego’s don’t topple to the ground as she continues to stack just one more piece on top. I learned never to leave the room to get another cup of coffee.  Once, when I returned, I found her climbing past the couch with hands and feet reaching for the living room drapes. She has a consistent habit that I admire.  In the midst of her activities, as she moves robustly from one play...

Mama's Lipstick

I always wished I could do things with my mom like shop in the mall, share makeup secrets or go to the movies and watch romantic comedies.  My wish never materialized.     My mama behaved like a tomboy.   She loved baseball and pitched with a strong right arm.   She could care less about the latest fashion or the latest movies featured on the big screen.   She never polished her fingernails.    One day after elementary school, I walked into the house to find my mom all dolled up in front of the bathroom mirror, foundation crème, powder, eyebrow pencil and rouge all over the counter sink.  “Who are you?” I asked, thrilled to see my mama putting on the Ritz.  Makeup in place and blotted, she immediately took it off.  “I don’t like the way it feels,” she exclaimed. She retired in Arizona and protected her dry lips with a light rose lipstick, the color of natural lips, a step above ChapStick.  She wore it a few tim...