Endurance

In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 the Apostle Paul writes about endurance. He is almost to the point where his life will be taken from him, and he tells his young friend Timothy:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

I spent today at the funeral of a wonderful woman who exemplified this principle in every respect. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating form of this disease, over thirty years ago. Since that time she endured 26 surgeries and lived in constant pain. Throughout everything she always kept a smile on her face. She lifted others and helped them to feel valued and loved. She rarely complained, even at the very end when she wasn't able to stand on her own, or even to swallow. She took every day as it came and made the best of every new situation. Her motto was, "it's another growing experience," and she taught that to her family and friends.

I hope to be able to have that kind of strength and endurance. I learned from her that enduring doesn't necessarily mean overcoming. Sometimes it simply means to go on with a smile.

I love her, and I will miss her immensely. She took me in as one of her own grandchildren, and always made me to feel as though I belonged. I can hardly wait for the resurrection to see her smiling face and her perfect body and to tell her once more how much I love her.