Tonight I listened intently as Nancy Holcomb talked of
her life as a mother and a wife in a room at the Lipscomb & Pitts building on Union.
My heart was touched by her openness, and not just
willingness to share, but happiness in which to open the doors to her life.
I was in awe at how Bible-verse after Bible-verse flew
from her mouth, from her memory heart, recalling verses that pulled her
through difficult times and into God’s hands, protecting her, helping her,
healing her.
So many jewels of wisdom she shared.
·
“Go if God tells you to go.” You never know whose prayers you’re
answering.
·
“Know hymns…because when we’re all imprisoned
for our faith, it’s the only thing we’re going to have. One person will remember one verse, and
another, another, and you’re going to take verse one, and you, verse 2, and
you, verse three!”
·
“It is the praise that changes your life.”
·
“A woman does not want her husband to be a
pushover.”
·
“Let this baby be whole from head to toe in the
name of Jesus.”
·
“Burnt toast, worst seat in the house. That’s the kind of grandma she was. That’s the kind of woman God wants you to be.”
·
“You are never free to not minister to someone.”
·
“God never tells you what He’s going to do. He reveals to you who He is.”
·
“I am hurting as much as you…you cannot be
self-centered in your suffering.”
·
“He never stopped letting me minister to people.” Even in difficult times, God calls us to be
light.
·
“If that’s where you are, that’s where you have
to start praising Him. Ask God for
positivity—to be the type of person to see the glass half-full, even when it’s
only got a drop in it!” Praise Him in
the rain.
That’s the thing with difficult times. In the crown that God has placed upon His
children’s heads, it is glittered with gems procured from the sadness and
hardships endeavored and endured.
Emeralds of hospital visits, rubies of broken hearts, topazes of abuse, amethysts
of self-denial, opals of self-realization.
Diamonds of His everlasting love and grace shine in remembrance of
moments where only He pulled us through, where His love lit our paths reflected
in each stone.
I appreciate more than my words can express hearing from
her in such an honest way—for the string of women who are opening themselves up
for Fellowship’s Chronicle. So thankful
for what it has brought my heart and I can’t wait for January when we continue
our once-a-month mid-week nights!
