Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Bold (emotionally) (08/30/07)
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TITLE: Refined As Silver | Previous Challenge Entry
By Constance Gilbert
09/06/07 -
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She is the closest to the Proverbs 31 Woman of anyone I know. I have the privilege of calling her my life-long friend. When I was seven, she was my babysitter. When I was nine, she taught me to read music and play the piano.
Her years of college and then marriage separated us for awhile. But she always said she’d sing “Love Never Faileth” at my wedding and she was there. Never mind that she lost the music at the last minute. I don’t remember what she sang, but I fondly remember, she was there.
As Mr. and Mrs., the first house we called home, was next door to her! (I promised not to tell stories, but there are those moments that only two close friends can sit and laugh at no matter how many miles apart they now are.) Some of the best times were at her baby grand piano. We loved sitting there to talk, to try out new music, and to sing together. Sometimes I played for her; other times, she gave me free voice lessons. She always made me feel special.
Sad times came also. After my husband died, she talked me through a night of suicidal thoughts. She knew when to sit in silence and just sip her tea as I mourned. Or she’d bake a batch of her grandma’s cookies to comfort and heal.
Her daughter babysat for my son. When he had the lead in his fifth grade musical, she helped gather a fan club to come to hear him; and we celebrated at the ice cream shop with the gigantic “If You Can Eat It All, It’s FREE Sundae.”
What wonderful memories we have! We still chat, but instead of “over a cup of tea,” it’s through e-mails.
In this transient world of ours, real friendships are hard to find. Life-long friendships are even rarer.
I haven’t named her because, I hope that you can see her in some of your friends. What makes her so special may be found in a composite of your friends. We need to realize each one, who God allows to cross our path, is a blessing; whether for a little while or a lifetime.
Her life, like yours and mine, hasn’t been all good. The rain of losses, hurts, disappointments, and trials have poured into each of our life’s gardens. Her uniqueness has been her sweetness that is under-girded with boldness. She has stood strong in her love for the Lord no matter what!
Her boldness is never expressed in loud, noticeable ways. She just loves you!
You know that song she never sang at my wedding? It’s straight from scripture and one of those verses says, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1Corinthians 13:1 NIV)
My dear friend is never a clanging cymbal. It is her persistent love that allows her to be a Proverbs 31 Woman.
She is nearly 75 years old- on this planet of ours- but she is ready to be a part of the heavenly choir when ever God calls her. It is without a doubt I know that as long as God graces us with her presence, she will remain bold:
Being so
Overwhelmed by His
Love that she must
Draw others to Him.
May we, too, be so B.O.L.D.!
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