8 Talents

My sister’s birthday was a couple of weeks ago.  I just now got around to writing her card.  As I was thinking of what I wanted to share I realized that my sister values people more than most.  She always has a very genuine sincerity as she expresses her excitement in seeing people.  Her concern is deep when she is worried about you.  Her graciousness comes quickly when offended.  I think this is why she has such a magnetic personality.  

Recently, I was late to a meet-up with her and some friends.  I was running late, no surprise there.  My sister called all of our phones.  Fretted about me to all of her friends.  Then very joyfully welcomed me to the party once I arrived.  I never detected a sense of frustration for one second about my tardiness and lack of consideration in calling.  

I very much wish I appreciated people like my sister does.  That is a gift.

In memory of Bonnie Barker, my grandma, a hero.

Recently my grandma passed away. It was something that I hoped would never come. There were many unspoken hopes that I had that centered around my grandma. I hoped that she would always be there to spread the joyous sense of humor that she always had. I hoped that she would always be there to play Othello or Rummy. I hoped that she would be able to meet my children one day, if the Lord would bless Amy and me with children. All of these hopes have gone.

I believe you can gage the impact a life has had by the way others respond to the loss of that life. Though the last month has been hard, I continue to learn from my grandma and the legacy that she left.

My grandparents have always set a good example on managing money. They never spent money on extravagant things that weren’t necessary but they always took care of those around them. After grandma’s funeral we headed back to grandpa’s house. It was there that I had a conversation with my grandpa that will stick with me for as long as I live. Grandpa had recently purchased a new Chuck Wagon (an ATV utility vehicle) to help him with the farm chores. I had expressed an interest in seeing it earlier and maybe he was fulfilling that request, maybe he just wanted to get out of the house, or maybe he just wanted to spend some time with Amy and me. The Chuck Wagon served as a prop in a story that didn’t fit it very well

Grandpa told us that regardless of the price all of the casket’s had the same amount of padding in them. He assured us that he had checked them. The expensive ones were no better than the ones that didn’t cost as much, so he let my aunt pick the coffin out. But then he went on to tell us that he purchased the very best vault they had.

You see, when it came to making the final decisions about grandma my grandpa spared no expense to give her the best that he could. If the expensive caskets had more padding I have no doubt he would have paid the price. This speaks magnitudes about the kind of man my grandpa is, but I think it tells you just as much about the woman my grandma was. Grandpa didn’t care about purchasing the flashiest casket , that would look the best, he cared most deeply about taking care of his bride.

In life, as a believer of Jesus Christ, I have been called the bride of Christ. So often I complain, silently inside, when I don’t get the flashiest or best of things from God. But in my grandpa’s example I realize that God’s provision does not have to be rich to be the best. I am grateful to my grandpa for painting me a picture as to what the value of a bride really is.