One of my favorite things to do is ask people questions. I honestly believe that every single human being, made in the image of God, has their own unique way of pointing others to Him. We have each been given the opportunity to reflect His image in this world, and I love discovering the ways He does that through the lives of others.
Recently, I asked a very dear woman in my life to share some of her wisdom with me as she approaches her 70th birthday. “If you could share some wisdom that comes with age, what would it be?” I asked her.
She asked if she could take some time to consider the question and get back to me. A short time later, she did just that. But then she asked me to share her words with those who read my blog, and I am so excited, happy, and honored to do so!
Evelyn has been in my life since I was a young girl, and she has always been a very present influence. For as long as I can remember, she has been like a second mom to me. She has always welcomed me into her home, but more importantly, into her heart.
She has this beautiful spirit that can take a restless soul like myself and bring such calm with just a few gentle words. I am so forward, so loud, and sometimes so abrupt, and here she comes, speaking in the meekest way. There is something beautiful about the way the Lord can use people with such different personalities to bring something good into one another’s lives.
If I could describe Evelyn to you, I would compare her to a nurse who cares for her patients. She has a nurturing spirit, always looking for ways to care for others. She cooks nourishing food, from the best homemade Chinese rice to the most delicious cakes. Heavenly cheesecakes, indeed!
Years can go by, but she will always find a way to let me know that, even with time and distance between us, she remains a positive presence in my life. She has watched me grow and mature, and she has never abandoned me through it all.
I am so blessed to share with you the words of wisdom from a woman who will always be a beacon of light in my life. As Evelyn approaches her 70th year, this is what she wants to share with us:
A Few Words of Wisdom from Evelyn
“As I turn 70, I want to share a few insights as to what has worked for me.
If you know me from way back, you know I was involved with the Royal Rangers ministry. I still follow the eight points in their motto. Always be:
Alert
Clean
Honest
Courageous
Loyal
Courteous
Obedient
Spiritual
Also, be true to yourself and love yourself unconditionally.
Always forgive people, just set limits as to how close you will allow them to be in your life.
Know that some people are only meant to be in your life for a season, and that’s okay.
Don’t force relationships.
Take good care of your body and also your soul. Be mindful of what you put into your body, what your eyes see, and what you hear.
There will be times when you will need to walk away from relationships, people, and situations.
As Royal Rangers, we would always teach the boys to be ready! Ready to work, play, serve, worship, and obey.
Also, keep in mind the four ways we grow:
Mentally
Physically
Spiritually
Socially
I never feel as if I have to be noticed. I am okay and comfortable being by myself if a certain situation makes me feel uncomfortable. I never feel as if I need to fit in.
Also, something you know is very vital to me: if God wants to wake you up in the middle of the night to pray for someone, don’t ignore Him. Do it!”
Her words are genuine, and I can personally attest to that last part about praying in the middle of the night!
There have been times when I have woken up to a text from Evelyn letting me know that God had awakened her to pray for me. I am always so thankful to receive those messages because I know she is actually interceding for me. It just so happens that I hardly sleep some nights. I live with pain that keeps me uncomfortable, so even in the middle of those difficult nights, I can smile knowing that my dearest Evelyn is praying for me without my even having to ask her to!
That kind of love means something to me. It reminds me that we are not meant to walk through this life alone.
To the body of Christ, we need one another. We have our own lives to live, and time, distance, and space may sometimes separate us. But my relationship with Evelyn, spanning almost 30 years, is a beautiful reminder that love does not have to disappear just because life takes us in different directions.
When two people remain committed to loving one another, there is still room for that love to grow and bear fruit through the years. And that is what love does. It cares for others. It makes room for them. It remembers them, and sometimes it gets out of bed in the middle of the night to pray for them!
Let love reign in all of our hearts so that we can truly reflect the image of God to the world.
Ev, I love you!
I thank the Lord for your life, your presence in mine, your words of wisdom, and your example of a quiet and gentle spirit. I seek to be more like you as I move forward into however many more years the Lord will allow me.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing Evelyn to be such a present help in every season of my life. Her prayers have been heard and felt, and I thank You for her intercession and her willingness to love me through the years. Amen.
May our Lord and God bless you with many more days, my dear Evelyn.
Happy 70th Birthday!
With love,
Dinah 🖤