We had the joy of hosting the funeral for a dear friend, Viola, in the inner city this past week.  She lived in the Turner Courts Housing Development for over fifteen years.  When I started my first Bible Study in Turner Courts with Velma, Viola was one of the first to be a faithful member of our Encouragement Team.  I remember the day she prayed to receive Christ as her Lord & Savior.  She had such a joy about her and loved life. 

The event that humbled me about her was that after 4 weeks of doing the Bible study at Teena Aycock’s home in Turner Courts, she and the other ladies found out it was my birthday and they each bought me a birthday present.  I was just coming out of my obsession with me and the things of this world and this group of welfare Moms and Grandmothers, living off food stamps, had each purchased a gift for me.  The gift Viola gave was a red gable sweater and was easily one size too small.  It didn’t matter that I would never wear it because it was one of the most precious gifts I had ever received.  I remember giving it to Velma and asking her to give it to someone who it would fit and keep them warm.

While I was speaking at the funeral the snow was falling on a field that used to be Turner Courts Housing Development where she lived for 15 years.  I loved how the snow so amazingly makes everything that is brown and dead look so alive….like Jesus making our sins white as snow.  This gift of snow was covering all of Viola’s past with the present blessing of God’s grace through Jesus Christ and His righteousness.  All her past was forgiven because of her faith in Jesus and she is now in heaven worshiping the Lord in her new mansion.  God taught me much through Viola and her generosity.  It is the same gift of giving that the Bible speaks of regarding the Macedonians, a very poor congregation  who gave beyond their ability.  I have done funerals where hundreds have attended but none was as sweet as this service with 14 or 15 people honoring one of God’s choice servants.  Many of the miracles of God’s redemption of this same community where Turner Courts is located is because of the faith of women like Viola who came to know Christ and realized that there is greater joy in giving than in taking.  Viola taught me so much in my early days in the ministry.  I am excited that, although she died with very few of the things of this world that she is now in her new body and mansion worshiping Jesus forever after hearing the words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”  She is my modern day story of the widow’s mite.  I pray that those of us with much would learn to give the way so many with so little do, beyond our ability.  Then we too can be unexpected gifts to those around us.  Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of others and allow you to be the very answer to their prayers.  I know I am the grateful recipient of many of your prayers and love and am hopeful that I will remember with you, that to whom much is given, much is required!