01.10.10
The Woman Who Gave so Little, but Gave it All
If you could just crawl into my mind and visit all the wonderful memories I have of this lady it would be much better than for me to try to put it into words. There have been a few people throughout my life that have made lasting impressions. It seems a bit odd but most have been women. But for now allow me to share some of my memories of Miss Artie.
I really don’t remember when I first met Miss Artie; she just seems to have always been there, a permanent fixture of the church I attended. Miss Artie was a very small woman; when she rode the bus to church the driver had to pick her up and place her on the bus. I really can’t tell you how tall she was but I do remember when she sat on a pew at church her feet stuck straight out like a very small child. She had problems walking because of some deformity to her feet and legs.
Miss Artie may have been small physically but she was a giant spiritually. I often think about what the Bible says about entertaining angels unaware when I think of Miss Artie. No, Miss Artie was one of us; flesh and blood and a sinner saved by the grace of God. She was always ready to share that with anyone that would listen.
For a few years I was responsible for giving a short devotional before Sunday school. Everyone met in the auditorium for a few minutes and then went to their respective classes. Each Sunday morning I would take my place on the front row awaiting my time to speak and each Sunday morning Miss Artie was there in that front row. She always greeted me with this big smile and then we would talk until time for the program to begin. She always had so much encouragement to share. I was very shy and really didn’t like to be in front of people speaking but God had plans for me and this was the first step. She would assure me that God was with me and I would be fine. She said God had given me what to say and to just open my mouth and let it out. At times during my short talk I would glance in her direction to be always met with a smile and her eyes filled with thoughts of encouragement.
As I said earlier, Miss Artie was always ready to share what God was doing in her life and how blessed she was by Him. I can remember a few times she would go forward during the invitation and ask the pastor to allow her to speak, to share what God had placed on her heart. The church we attended was ultra conservative at that time and took very literally that passage that says something about women are to remain silent in church. I would sit in my seat listening to Miss Artie’s testimony and at the same time wonder which of the men had enough ‘intestinal fortitude’ to go forward and tell her it wasn’t allowed for her to speak publicly. I remember thinking if someone had attempted to ‘shut her up’ it might have been like when the two that sold their property and gave only part of it to the church saying they had given all were struck dead.
Another example of how this wonderful woman impressed me was in her faithfulness to give to the Lord. This church operated a youth camp and received offerings from anyone that desired to support this ministry. I only know she gave because at this time the church published in a newsletter each month the gifts received. You need to remember this was in the 1970 so money was money then. Miss Artie each month faithfully gave her two dollars. You may say that wasn’t much but I am sure that to her it was equivalent to others giving two hundred or even two thousand. When I would see the report and always see her name I would be reminded of the poor widow that gave all she had. Jesus didn’t honor those that gave of their plenty but He did honor this woman that gave so little but gave all.
If Miss Artie was just as she was here on earth when she got to heaven I am sure Jesus Himself bent down and gently picked her up and carried her into the glory of heaven.
