Then Came Jesus
March 11th, 2010If I had to use one word to describe her it would be meek. I’ve never met her. Never spoke to her. I don’t even know her name. But I know she is meek. She wears it like a garment. Not one thing about her said, “Notice me.” She came into the doctor’s office, signed in at the desk and gently slid into the chair across from me. She had white hair that was tightly permed into that traditional elderly hairdo. Perhaps one of her errands today was her weekly hair appointment to style the crown of white adorning her head for the upcoming week. It was after all Thursday. She had on those soft, thick soled shoes women her age wear. A simple blouse and cardigan rounded out her style. Nothing noticeable. That is, until she began to read.
Others around me grumbled at the wait and I too, began to wonder how long it would be before I was called back. However, she sat perfectly contented. She reached in her double-strapped handbag and pulled out a small book entitled, “Then Came Jesus”. It is so rare to see another member of my Christian family reading about our Father, in public. As her wrinkled and worn hands opened the book to where she had last finished reading, I noticed the book was worn. The yellow tinged pages seem to suggest this book may have been her companion for some years. Unlike today’s books, the cover wasn’t glossy. It didn’t look as if someone had shattered a prism all over the page. The colors were muted and unassuming, just like her.
My thoughts drifted for a bit to other things. Momma always said staring wasn’t nice, so maybe it would be best to people watch someone else for a while. But I couldn’t. I watched her read that book. In perfect peace she smiled as she read, as if she had found something within those pages that resonated deep within. As she read, she smiled, she nodded. I wondered what it was she was silently agreeing with. Was it how patient our Savior is? Was it that His love is unfailing? Was it that after all these years she could say wholeheartedly, “He’s never left my side. Just as He promised.”? It warmed my heart deeply, watching this old soul refreshed & renewed in front of my eyes as she read and remembered her Christ. Lord, may it be so with me.
From the serene simplicity in her eyes, I could tell that she probably loves Him more now than she ever has. And isn’t that the way it’s suppose to be? Our love for the Father and His Son, should grow with each passing year. Deepen with each and every trial. And widen, like the smile upon her face. After years of following Him there is still more to discover. She still wishes to read about Him, to study Him, to learn of Him. I couldn’t help but wonder: if I read that same book, right now in my thirties, would it mean the same to me as it does to her at this stage of her life? Life seems to deepen and become richer as we age, if we allow it to. If we allow Him to. If that book has been a companion to her, then maybe she read it in her thirties. Maybe those smiles and nods were her acknowledgment that He was indeed Who He had claimed to be. But now she had a lifetime of evidence. Evidence earned with age, through love and trust. Maybe she was smiling at how He had turned so many of her darkest trials and deepest tragedies into something for her good or just plain something good. Something, beautiful.
Watching her reminded me of an old hymn that is one of my Daddy’s favorites. It was written by William Gaither in 1965. I have often seen my Dad sing this song. As he sings, something happens. He seems to drift to some transcendent place, where tears fill his eyes and he remembers his Christ in a way that is deeply loving and deeply grateful. Written from a life lived with Jesus, the chorus exclaims,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
Her face personified these words. A sweetness came over her countenance as she reflected on all the endless benefits of her sweet Savior. Their long friendship was evident. It was also inspiring in an most unexpected way.
We all long to do something magnificent with our lives, don’t we? If we are believers, we long to do something spectacular for Christ. To make a difference in the Kingdom. And yet, here this woman simply walked in an office, wearing the cloak of meekness and a countenance of joy and inspired my heart to love Him more. Perhaps it is in our moments when we think no one is watching that we make our greatest testament to His Power and Presence in our lives. “Then Came Jesus”, indeed.
“The way we continually talk about our own inability is an insult to our Creator. One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes and yours may be that life.”
-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest