How Others Have Shaped Who You Are

Recently I received this letter from a friend who is a missionary's wife in South Africa. Lots of good things to think about here, and I wanted to share them with you all.  For her privacy's sake, I took out names and left only first initials.  DH is dear husband, DD is dear daughter.
 

 DH was bringing home a half to a bushel full of mangos every Saturday from the village of M, where he teaches a group of men.  Since we live in the area where these grow abundantly he was able to purchase these for less than three dollars.  Now it is good thing we like mangos!  Because of how quickly they would ripen I would go to cutting them up and we would have mangos on cereal, in muffins, cobbler, pies, on salad and even froze some for later.  As I worked on cutting them up I was reminded of a co-worker that shared with me how to easily cut up mangos.  She had been raised on the island of Barbados and had eaten mangos frequently.  Daily I am reminded of how others have affected my life as I carry out daily activities.  Let me share a few examples that have come to mind and maybe it will cause you to be grateful for how others have influenced your life. 

 How can any woman not think of her mother every day when she goes about her daily task?   The daily disciplines of life from personal hygiene to household chores cannot be attributed to anyone else but Mother.  I think of my Mom as I pull out my sewing machine and am blessed that she is such a wonderful seamstress, though her daughter did not pick up the talent as well.  A straight line is about the limit of my ability.  The little ‘craft’ projects that I do around the house or with my daughter I also think of my Mother, who has done this kind of activity for years with children.  Things from cooking, cleaning, folding laundry, writing letters, keeping up with old and new friends via letter writing, email or talking on the phone are all lessons learned from Mom and her example.  How many times did I say, “Mom, how do you do… or how do you spell…?” I remember truths from the bible such as serving that Mom taught when we would be helping her do something for the church and or for others.  She would always say “we are earning stars in our crowns”.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my Mother.  What more could I be learning from her even today long distance? 

 I think of my Father when I think of my salvation, for it was my Father who prayed with me that night so many years ago at our dining room table.  Whenever I think of my heavenly Father I can see the love, security and acceptance of my own earthly Father.  What a blessing to have such a loving example all my life.  I also learned from my parents example of a husband and wife working together to build a godly home.  My father led and my mother followed.  They appreciate and love each other. 

 My brothers and sister, their families, have affected my life as well as friends in ways such as; words of encouragement, actions and challenges to grow in the Lord.  Thank you to each and every one of you for your influence in my life.

 As I teach my daughter throughout the day, especially when it comes to preschool activities, I am reminded of the teachers I have observed and worked with over the years.  I was privileged to help with the two and three old class right out of high school leading the singing.  What fun it is to sing some of those songs with my own daughter that I sang over 25 years ago with other children.  I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had through the years to work with every age group, seeing now that it prepared me for working with my own child here on the mission field.  As I was making some puppets the other day to use in teaching DD I was reminded of the opportunity I had to work in the puppet ministry, what wonderful memories I have of that time.   What of all the Sunday school teachers, Preacher’s and their wives and Evangelist I have heard through the years that have touched my life with a special message delivered from the Lord just for me.  The list could go on and on.

 My husband…what could be said of him?  How has he, affected my life in the last five years? It is said that a woman is the completer of man so it must go in hand that he also completes her.  I have often been amazed at God’s plan in putting the two of us together.  For those that know me well know that I am a very practical person.  My husband is gifted of the Lord to love beauty in more ways that I have even imagined.  I am THANKFUL for this.  I would probably have gotten to heaven and told the Lord He put too much gold there!  Being with my husband I see and understand a side of the Lord that many don’t take time to appreciate like they should.  God loves beautiful things and created such a variety of it in His world.  My husband is frequently commenting on the flowering trees along one particular road noting the beauty of them.  I am always enjoying the majestic view as we drive down ‘our’ mountain into town.  God put a lot of detail and finery in the Tabernacle and Temple. I often wonder do we limit the Lord in this area of our lives, when God wants to abundantly bless His children with some of the finer things of life.  I think one of the greatest attributes of DH’s life that I have observed is of giving.  He loves to give, rather simple or extravagant.  Yet isn’t that an example of our heavenly Father?  The one priceless gift that DH gives over and over is the gospel to as many as will listen to him. 

There are some that have influence my life through my husband such as his Father and Mother, Sisters, Pastor C and family, Preachers, Evangelist and many others.  Often I have learned from them as DH shares of things they have said or he observed of them. 

 How will my daughter influence my life?  In many ways she has and will continue to challenge me further in my walk with the Lord.  I know more scripture verses now since training her in this area.

 The scriptures profit me every day just as II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  Along with the scriptures is the Holy Ghost indwelling me and teaching me through what I read and through circumstances of life.  John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

 There are influences of people that I have never met but only read of their testimonies in books.  I think of Darlene Deibler Rose's testimony of her imprisonment during WWII, and how God sustained her and blessed her with so many things, even 90+ bananas. (***If you have not read or heard her testimony I would encourage you to do so as it will greatly encourage you.) Mary Slessor, Jim and Elizabeth Elliot, David Livingstone, E. M. Bounds, George Muller, Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth, William Borden, and the list could go on.  Many of these are from generations past and I often wonder if the Lord should tarry will there be any from this generation that the next generation will say influenced their life for the Lord.

 I must also take time to mention fellow missionaries here in South Africa that have and continue to influence my life: G and J, G and S, G and K, and J and D.  I would also like to mention our new friend, former missionary wife, L.  God has used them to help us become adjusted to life here in South Africa. 

 
“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:…” Revelation 1:11.  When I think of the Lord Jesus Christ, the one who I should be emulating more and more every day, I am reminded of the words to my favorite hymn, O to Be Like Thee. (Written by Thomas O. Chisholm and William J. Kirkpatrick)

 

1)      O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, This is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

2)      O to be like Thee! Full of compassion, Loving, forgiving, tender and kind, Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, Seeking the wandr’ing sinner to find.

3)      O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit, Holy and harmless, patient and brave; Meekly enduring cruel reproaches, Willing to suffer others to save.

4)      O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming, Now to receive th’ anointing divine; All that I am and have I am bringing. Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

5)      O to be like Thee! While I am pleading, Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love; Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling, Fit me for life and heaven above.

Chorus: O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou Art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

 

Now it is your turn to be thankful of those that have so greatly affected you life.

 THANK YOU. 

Missionary wife to the Republic of South Africa

February 29, 2008

***A great book about Darlene Deibler Rose is Evidence Not Seen, written by her.  You can also hear her testimony here.