Jun 22 (Daily reading: Proverbs 30-31) I have chosen today to write a tribute to Judy: “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” (Prov. 31:28-31, NIV).
I think, unfortunately, that it is possible to lose something valuable before you fully appreciate its value. As Judy has lost her ability to communicate, to demonstrate her love, to show support and also to give good advice, I have discovered how much I depended on those things. Now, a shy smile, a twinkle of the eye, a wrinkle of the nose, an almost imperceptible nod of the head, communicate to me more than I can describe and make my heart soar with joy! But this unspoken communication and this joy of recent times are founded on years upon years of her standing beside me in the joys and frustrations of life and ministry. I have been blessed in my marriage to a woman who is not lacking in charm or beauty, but her greatest attribute is her fear of (reverence for, faithfulness and submission to) the Lord! She always held me to a higher spiritual standard. Sometimes I hold her small hands and marvel at the enormity of what those hands have done! Her “works” that bring her praise are best seen in the impact she has made on people, beginning with her children, who do “arise and call her blessed.” But her “spiritual offspring” is not limited to those who lived under her roof. I know of so many, and there are many more of whom I am unaware, who have been touched by Judy’s gentle, loving, generous, fun-loving, and inspiring spirit. I can only praise God and thank Him for my 54 years with her!
– Al Gary
Leave a Reply