Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Tomatoes and Memories
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelation 14:13
There are four tomato plants in the backyard which Malcom planted in early spring. They are producing quite well and I have been eating fresh vine-ripened tomatoes every day. There is a story here, too. The last two times Malcom planted tomato plants in Taiwan, he never had the opportunity to enjoy eating the fruit of his labor because each time we made a trip back to the US just before they were ripe. Others enjoyed them “for” us and had fun teasing Malcom about planting tomatoes for them. This year when he planted the plants, he wondered if he would enjoy them this time, but it wasn’t to be so. On the morning of his funeral, I looked out the window and spied one small cherry tomato bright red and ready to pick. I buried it with him, so that he did indeed get the first tomato!
Now each time I eat one, I think fondly of Malcom’s love for gardening and planting. There are many fond memories of time spent together planting, pruning, watering, picking. It’s a legacy he has left me to enjoy now in the form of real tomatoes and later in memories.
But there is another legacy that I have from him that is even more precious. He was always faithful in spending time with the Lord, daily reading his Bible and praying for our children, church, and ministry. I came across one of his journals yesterday in which he recorded some of his prayers. Wow! What an awesome record to leave behind. I was touched to the core at the depth of his love for God, his love and concern for me, our children and grandchildren, his desire to serve the Lord faithfully and his compassion for the lost. His prayers reflect his humility and awe of God who loved an unworthy sinner. He has left me a legacy of true faithfulness that I can follow, even praying his prayers if I want to when overwhelmed by sorrow. It is a blessing and comfort.
There are four tomato plants in the backyard which Malcom planted in early spring. They are producing quite well and I have been eating fresh vine-ripened tomatoes every day. There is a story here, too. The last two times Malcom planted tomato plants in Taiwan, he never had the opportunity to enjoy eating the fruit of his labor because each time we made a trip back to the US just before they were ripe. Others enjoyed them “for” us and had fun teasing Malcom about planting tomatoes for them. This year when he planted the plants, he wondered if he would enjoy them this time, but it wasn’t to be so. On the morning of his funeral, I looked out the window and spied one small cherry tomato bright red and ready to pick. I buried it with him, so that he did indeed get the first tomato!
Now each time I eat one, I think fondly of Malcom’s love for gardening and planting. There are many fond memories of time spent together planting, pruning, watering, picking. It’s a legacy he has left me to enjoy now in the form of real tomatoes and later in memories.
But there is another legacy that I have from him that is even more precious. He was always faithful in spending time with the Lord, daily reading his Bible and praying for our children, church, and ministry. I came across one of his journals yesterday in which he recorded some of his prayers. Wow! What an awesome record to leave behind. I was touched to the core at the depth of his love for God, his love and concern for me, our children and grandchildren, his desire to serve the Lord faithfully and his compassion for the lost. His prayers reflect his humility and awe of God who loved an unworthy sinner. He has left me a legacy of true faithfulness that I can follow, even praying his prayers if I want to when overwhelmed by sorrow. It is a blessing and comfort.
7 Comments:
Wow, Carol. What a blessing you are to me. I know you are human...but what an amazing trust in God you have...and you display a truly amazing grace. I am praying for you. Brenda T.
You are right, Carol. And I am truly blessed by your latest entry.
Carol,
I want you to know that I am praying for you. You have been on my mind quite a bit. Having lost my husband a little over 2 years ago, I know some of your sorrow and pain.
But, God is the God of all comfort. Praise God for the memories and those 'things' that they have left behind for us.
Please know I continue to pray for you.
Linda M
My Friend,
What a blessing this post is to me. I hope you will continue to find wonderful things like this to embrace in your heart.
Lovingly, M
Dear Carol,
Thanks for the sharing of your
thoughts. They help me a lot.
Suzanne
Once again I cannot express in words the joy and comfort your words have brought to me. God has touched me boutifully in my friendship with you and Malcom. Your comfort becomes mine. Your solitude in the Lord becomes mine.
Thank you for your friendship and for sharing God's touch in life with so many others. It won't be until eternity that you both truly know how many and how much you have minsitered to others in your time of need. Thank you for being willing to share and to be used.
Rick M
wow, Carol, your blogs are so hard to read! My eyes keep dripping and my cheeks stay wet and I just wish there was something I could do or say...
I think of you fondly often and God gives me a prayer for you. Please keep writing as your words encourage and inspire me...Love you, your best friend in Thailand, JOY
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