Blessed Rest

The world lost a good person Friday night – a truly good-hearted person.  I lost a dear friend and sweet sister in Christ.  But heaven gained a beautiful soul …. And Melba gained her eternal rest.   So very many people have expressed condolences to the family ….. in person and on face book …. through phone calls …. Through tears …. and prayers and hugs.  Melba was a school teacher for many years and was well known in the community through her kindness and good works.  Former students remember her love and encouragement for them all.

Former Bible class students remember her teaching them with love as well.  One of the first things my brother, Todd, said when he heard of Melba’s passing was “I remember her teaching me in Bible class.”  She was an impressive teacher.  I had the blessing of watching her teach and also of teaching with her for several years at Maywood Christian Camp. 

I loved to hear her talk about God’s word.  She taught with such enthusiasm.  I loved watching her tell the children, “Now, listen – this really happened.  It REALLY happened.”  It was so important to her that the children she was teaching understood that the Bible wasn’t a story book.  She wanted them to know it was true.  She stressed that.  And they listened to her.  They learned from her.

As part of her church family – well the church is the body of Christ -- so when we lose a church family member – we lose part of us.  Hillcrest has lost part of itself.  Melba was such a fine Christian lady.  She loved God …. And she loved her church. 

It is because she loved God so well that she will be missed by so very many people.  She loved God and so she showed the love of God in everything she did.  Christ lived in her heart.  So she was His arms and legs while she lived.  She used her arms for hugging … her heart for loving … her smile for giving joy to others … her intelligence for teaching …..  Well you get the point.  Christ lived in her and Hillcrest will miss her dearly. 

One of Melba’s favorite Bible characters was Esther.  She loved Esther’s strength and resolve.  She loved to encourage young ladies to be brave like Esther – to always stand up for what is right.  I once heard her say that you could see God’s hand all through the book of Esther.  If you’re not familiar with that story, I would urge you to read it.  You’ll see for yourself that Melba was right.

She stayed so busy for the Lord.  Always working – always looking for ways to help – always volunteering for this or that whenever a project came up.  She was always doing something for somebody.  “Just tell me what you need,” she would say.  How many people do you know like that? 

I don’t know if it was her very favorite verse, but I heard her quote Galatians 6:9 on several occasions.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJV)   I think Melba pretty much lived this verse. 

Thinking of her tonight, I also thought of I Corinthians 15:58 “ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  (NKJV)   Melba was strong and steadfast in her faith.  She wasn’t about to let anything in her life shake her faith in the Savior.  She clung to the Lord.  And like I already said, she was always busy for Him. 

Today when I was with the family, I told her daughter that I could just imagine her hugging Jesus as He welcomed her to heaven and then looking up into His eyes with a cheerful smile and saying, “OK Jesus, what do You want me to do now?”  That’s Melba – that’s the kind of servant heart she had. 

But Jesus has promised that our labor is not in vain.  And Melba did not give up in her service to Him. We know that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”  (Psalm 116:15 NKJV).   And we also know Jesus has promised us rest … (Hebrews 4:9 NKJV) “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.”

And so I can only imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when He tells her she can rest now, for her works have followed her.  (see Revelation 14:13)

I do not mourn for Melba – I mourn for those of us who must go on without her, especially her sweet family whom I love dearly.  I will be praying with them and for them in the coming days and weeks.  

But for Melba .... instead of mourning, I celebrate her life and I praise God for giving her one.  I praise the Lord for HIS GOODNESS and His mercy and His grace.  I praise the Savior for His loving sacrifice.  I thank God because I got to share part of this earthly life with my friend.  And I praise Him because He prepared heaven for His children “before the foundation of the world.”

What would Melba tell us now?  Again, I can only imagine for I really don’t know.  But I think it might be something like … Follow the Lord.  Study the Bible because it really is true.  Learn what He wants you to do.  Love Him, obey Him, and never give up serving Him.  For your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   

Rest my sweet friend, we will miss you. 

Christ above all things,

Robin