I slept in my own bed last night.
It was decadent.
You see, I’ve been harbouring a secret. While I pre-programmed my blog to automatically post super exciting stories about our recent Attic Room Makeover, my husband and I were travelling for our camp for 2 weeks.
On the very last leg of our journey, we got word that a very special lady had passed on to her heavenly home.
Margaret.
The same Margaret from this Miraculous Tea Party and the inspiration for this art.
She was 96 years old.
As I’ve been going through the process of absorbing this new reality, I’ve spent quite a bit of time reminiscing over my memories of Margaret. I’ve also been watching and listening to the words others say about her.
This was a woman who
- served tea and preached sermonettes
- gripped your arm and looked you in the eye
- knew her mind and spoke it
- read to her husband on their evening boat rides around the harbour
- substituted vinegar for eggs in recipes
- gardened and canned and froze
- grew flowers and displayed them on her countertop
- loved to play Battleship with young people (Hmmm…I wonder how she always won??)
- served and loved people along-side her husband of over 65 years
- {and much more!}…
Her life impacted the lives of others.
Including mine.
She and her husband started the camp that my husband and I now live at, work in, and love.
Without her vision and obedience, I wouldn’t be doing what I am.
***
Contemplating what people might recall about me after I'm no longer here presents a serious reflection. At times, I feel inadequate when measuring myself against figures such as Margaret, but thankfully, Jesus never suggests we measure ourselves against other people.
Rather, He calls us to embody the unique selves He created us to be; every individual possesses distinct life experiences unlike those beside them.
What He truly requests is that we seek His guidance daily to live in alignment with His will.
Margaret exemplified this approach.
She lived each day intentionally, dedicated to Him.
That is a path I desire to follow as well.
