Three Inspiring Ladies

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31)

Today’s message is dedicated to my grandmother, Lexsy Sowell Jones, who turned 90 yesterday; to Ethel Hodge, Middle Tennessee’s oldest YMCA member, who turned 99 on March 14; and to the memory of Margaret Geraleen Read, who stepped from time into eternity last week at the age of 82.

An article in today’s Tennessean spotlights Ms. Hodge, who exercises weekly at the Brentwood Y. (Her granddaughter, Cathy Smith, is associate executive at the Bellevue Y.) Ethel credits good genes and faith in the Lord with sustaining her. My Granny Jones also stays active and faith-filled. She lives alone, works in her garden and cuts the grass in her large yard (although she cheats by using a riding mower). I had the joy of visiting her this weekend in rural South Carolina and joining our extended family to pray birthday blessings over her. Ms. Read, the grandmother of Y colleague David Read, lived a life abounding with faith in Christ, love and friendship. She went forth in the peace of knowing that the glorious embrace of her Savior awaited, and she leaves a profound legacy to her family and to all who would follow her example.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’ ” (Psalm 92:12-15)

“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:3-4)

Heavenly Father and Caring Lord, we thank you that in your great love and wisdom, “all the days ordained for us were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). We bless you, praise you, and offer gratitude to you for the gift of each moment of life, and for the loved ones, young and “old,” who make them so meaningful. And we pray your tender comfort to the Read family. Amen.