Life is Fragile – Handle With Care AND Prayer

Yesterday, I made my way to two other “saints on earth”. I heard from friends that my precious mentor and role model, Sister Marie Pierre (will turn 90 this year), fell last week and broke her hip and had surgery. When I arrived at the rehab center, I signed the Visitors List and saw many other of my friends who had already visited her during the day. After therapy, she was in so much pain. I asked God: "Why, Lord, is this precious woman having to suffer when she has been so devoted to you AND us, for so many years?" She and I talked about the goodness and mercy of God and how He sees the little sparrows fall, how much more does He care for her. We talked about Romans 8:28 “ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” I thought, "ALL THINGS? Really, God? How can this turn for good?" My questions were answered when she and I talked. Together, we could see God’s goodness displayed in the attention she's receiving by SO MANY who have loved and cherished her for so many years. We're all praying for her and acknowledging and expressing our love and appreciation to her. She is on our hearts and minds. We are better for it. Life is fragile – handle with care AND prayer.

Another dear 94-year old friend is in a long term care facility that was only 2 miles from Sr Pierre’s rehab facility. Of course, it was perfect timing to go see her. This gracious, kind and tenderhearted Godly woman was another of my mentors and role models in faith and class. She doesn’t remember too much about our time together because of memory loss, but that doesn’t matter. I remember. I remember her always dressing to the nines, always complimenting me and encouraging me when I was the president of our women’s ministries. I talked about pot lucks and ministry projects and hilarious times and touching-lives-together-times. I smiled when nurses or aides would come into the room. Thelma would introduce me as the friend that she grew up with, who lived near each other and went to church together. There were some gaps in those memories, but no worries – her beautiful spirit is alive and well. Life is fragile -- handle with care AND prayer.

Why am I sharing these three mature, 90-something years old, beautiful and Godly women of faith with you today? Because those women prayed for me, celebrated me, encouraged me and gave me words that are still pushing me on to my finish line. I pray that when I’m in those years of fast approaching my finish line that I’ll be reminded that though life is fragile – we can handle it -- come what may -- with care and prayer for each other.

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."