My Life at 36 vs. Ruby's Life at 92

As I write today I am celebrating my 36^th birthday.  I don’t know about you, but when my birthdays come I end up focus on two things:

1.       All the family and friends that clearly love and care about me and show it in ways big and small.

2.       What my life has counted for and what I hope it counts for in the years ahead.

My first stop this morning was at a nursing home to visit the last surviving founding member of our church.  Her name is Ruby Brown and she is 92 years old and most likely will not be with us on this side of eternity much longer.  There is a big difference between my self-examination at 36 and Ruby’s at 92 and not just because of the difference in our ages. 

Let me share with you what I mean . . .    

Our church began in her garage nearly 60 years ago.  On that first Sunday there were 8 other people meeting in a garage who had been sent out from a mother church in Houston to launch a new work in Pasadena.  There must have been great risk in what they did along with a ton of hard work along the way.  They had no large sum of money, no “expert” pastor to help them get started, no building, nothing.  All they had was their own collective dream of doing something significant for God with their lives and the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them, guiding them every step of the way. 

There wouldn’t be enough space to account for all the times where Ruby and those other people had to sacrifice for the good of others and for the benefit of the young church they were working to launch.  There wouldn’t be enough time to record all the heartaches that they have experienced over the years, all the disappointments and all the setbacks.  The point is things were definitely not easy for them.  Ministry was not convenient.  It took lots of their time, lots of their talent and a whole bunch of their treasure. 

I wish Ruby could have been with us on our first Sunday together in March as we joined forces with Burke Road.  When I told her the story back then she was so overjoyed that she nearly danced out of her bed.  I wish she could have experienced in the flesh all that we have witnessed over the last two months.

But here is what I know . . .

None of that would have happened if it were not for Ruby and those original people in that garage back in 1953.  How many have come to faith since then?  How many have been called into pastoral ministry or full time missions work?  How many have used their gifts to honor Jesus through one of the ministries and outreaches of our church?  I could go on and on. 

What a legacy she has left!

One more thing . . .

Even though Ruby has been in a retirement home or a nursing home for the entire 10 years that I have known her, she has NEVER allowed her age, stage of life, physical condition or anything else deter her from emanating the gracious love and spirit of Jesus, making the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel with anyone and everyone she comes into contact with.  That means other residents she lives with along with staff and family.  They naturally became the mission field she lived and worked in.  She was never used up, never finished, never useless in the work of Jesus!  She has a legacy because a church was birthed through her life and sacrifice.  But maybe even more inspiring, she has never lacked a ministry or mission because wherever she was, her life was available for God to use . . . and she let Him use it exhaustively!

As Paul writes what is arguably his last letter he says:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.  (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

Ruby may not see 93 years old, but I hope and trust she can feel and experience all the love and care from so many friends and family around her and that she knows her life counted for something of real, eternal value!

May I be able to be like her some day!