I am too busy. Or, it seems that way most of the time. At least I like to convince myself that I am. I have kids to teach, mouths to feed, a house to clean, a garden to tend to, bedtimes to enforce, farm animals to keep afloat… Well in my craziness, I lost out on two very special blessings that the Lord put in front of me.

As I glanced up, I saw her at church one night not so long ago. Her glowing face. Her beautiful smile. But, if I have replayed the scene correctly, I was too busy. I don’t remember if I took the time to wave to her. I don’t remember if I talked to her. I don’t even remember if I smiled at her. But, at first glance, I remember thinking how rushed I was. I felt an urgency.  Of what? I can’t even recall. Her hug would have made the tiredness and stress all  fade away. I am sure I didn’t get one that night.  I would have remembered it!

That is my life. Rushed. Urgent. Forgetful. Selfish. A few days or maybe even a week or so later (remember forgetfulness is written above) at a 4-H meeting, the kids and I planted flowers for widows and shut-ins. As I stood looking at the flowers, feeling a sense of satisfaction, Millie’s name came to my mind. I thought about how great it would be if the kids and I could take her one of the flowers. But, it would not be that night. Oh, no. I was too busy. I was in the middle of packing for a trip to Richmond. So, I told the kids that Daddy could water the flowers while we were gone, and we would deliver them when we got back from our trip.

They were content. I was content. We all were content. Little did I know that one phone call received while we were in Richmond would change the fate of my plans. God had different plans for that flower. That flower never made it into Millie’s hands. The kids and I missed the blessing of seeing her smiling face and hearing her say, “Oh thank you!” Because she would have said thank you, and she would have smiled. She always, always smiled. When we returned home, our little J.J. delivered that flower not to Millie but to her sweet daughter instead.

The Lord taught me a very valuable lesson through Mrs. Millie’s passing. Don’t put off til tomorrow what ought to be done today. Stop the hectic me centered life. God has blessings waiting if I will just stop and receive them each and every day. All I can do now is look forward to seeing Millie’s smile again one day.

She was so beautiful. And, she always made a point to tell me how beautiful I was every time I saw her. She had a way of making everyone she came in contact with feel special. She loved Christ, and His charity shone through her in an amazing way. She never complained. She never raised her voice. She was one of a kind. Yes, the older generation was sent to teach the younger generation. She is a legacy that will never be forgotten. And, her kitchen table was the place to be. A simple life she led. Peaceful. The kind of life we should all long for. A life full of glory. She took the time to serve Christ and smell the roses every second of every day. Thank you Mrs. Millie for teaching me so much. We all loved you very much. And, whether I have to wait 30 seconds or 60 more years to see your sweet smiling face again, it will be so worth it!

Some of my fondest childhood memories were playing on this swing set at Millie’s.  She would always give me money to get ice cream at the store beside her house.  I loved it!  And, I will never forget it!

Proverbs 27:1 – Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.