faithfulness

The Real Deal

/ Linda DeLay Wallace / Leave a comment

Today, people are talking about the death of Dolly Parton and her impact on the world around us. There is no getting around it–she was the whole package. Someone who was a wonderful songwriter, a poet, a singer, an actor, and full of faith. She made the world better just by being in it!

But today, I want to honor another woman who passed from this life into eternal life on the same day. She had a great influence on everyone who came within her realm. There are not enough words for me to explain the example she was to me and many others. I met her at church shortly before my husband and I married. She quickly took me under her wings like she did for so many of the younger women in our church. She was certainly a mentor to many of us. She was one of the kindest and wisest women I have had the privilege of knowing.

She was famous in our circles for her hospitality. Her home was always open, and the kitchen was always busy. She made a peach cobbler that was one of the most popular desserts at the many potlucks our church had. She hosted Bible studies and home teams up until a year before her health became challenging.

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A Father’s Arms

/ Linda DeLay Wallace / Leave a comment

This past weekend I attended a worship night at our church. Of everything we do at church, worship nights are one of my favorite things. I came early so I could sit in a row close to the front and on the outside of the aisle, because of, well, short girl problems. If I am farther in the row and someone tall sits in front of me I may as well have saved myself the time of coming early.

As worship began and we were singing in earnest a father with his son nestled in his arms slipped into the row ahead of me. It was obvious the young boy, who was well past toddlerhood, was tired. I noticed when his eyelids gently shut and he snuggled deeper into his father’s arms. Soon he was sound asleep and even the enthusiastic singing all around him did not wake him up.

I watched as the father continued to hold his child tightly while he was singing praises to God. He held him during our entire worship service–sometimes when he was standing, and sometimes when he was sitting. But through it all he continued to lovingly hold him in his arms.

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The Little Yellow House

/ Linda DeLay Wallace / 5 Comments

One of my favorite aunts passed away yesterday (dare I say my favorite?). I only have two aunts left out of 14 originally. She was kind and compassionate, hospitable, and patient. She was generous with her love. And even though she had bright red hair, she did not have the temper that is such a stereotype for redheads! Although I do have to say I saw her aggravated occasionally, usually with my uncle. But it must not have been too bad because they were married over 65 years.

I have lots of fond memories of spending time at her little yellow house that was truly a home. I loved her green Fiesta Ware dishes that were square instead of round. I enjoyed eating her “cheesecake.” It was not until later that I learned it technically was pineapple fluff, not a true cheesecake. But it did have a graham cracker crust and cream cheese in it.

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Exposed to the Light

/ Linda DeLay Wallace / Leave a comment

Our church is going through the New Testament together for the second time in as many years. I love the fact that so many of our family has been taking this to heart and participating in the challenge to read scripture daily. Each week our pastors read the same passages we read and share insights in ways I may not have seen before. It never ceases to amaze me when I read a scripture I have read multiple times before, God shows me something new. I do not know why I am surprised by that. He has been doing it ever since I became a Christian at the age of 12.

I was reading Matthew 10 recently and I cannot tell you how many times I have heard studies on Matthew 10:29-31. You know, the passage that says not one sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing, and the fact that God knows the very number of the hairs on our head. I have heard this passage used countless times to tell us that we do not need to worry because God knows our needs and is active in our lives.

But I rarely hear anyone do a study on the verses prior to this. Matthew 10:26-28 says, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ” (NIV)

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