Precious Is the Faith

I began penning the following poem back in January, shortly after I said goodbye to my dear friend, Mr. Jay Benson.   Four stanzas came together at that time, inspired by the precious, faith-filled response that Vicky Benson, Mr. Jay's wife, had to his sudden passing.

The rest of the lines were formed in my heart as I beheld Aunt Geri's steadfast faith in God and the fortitude with which she faced life's final hour.  For all who were blessed to stand by her bedside during her final days here on earth, it was plain to see that her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was real and that the hope of eternal life she had in Christ was sure.

Precious Is the Faith

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
—I Peter 1:7

 

Precious is the faith that rests

Its hope on Christ alone

For assurance of salvation

And the soul’s eternal home;

 

Which engenders a disdain

For the selfish ways of sin,

Bringing genuine repentance

That bears holy fruit within.

 

Precious is the faith revealed

Through kind and loving deeds;

Through selfless acts of mercy

Aimed to meet another’s needs;

 

Which, unafraid of sacrifice

Will give, and give again,

As Jesus gave His life for us

So we could be forgiv’n.

 

Precious is the faith

That to the Savior tightly clings,

When earthly moorings crumble

With the turmoil that life brings;

 

Which holding fast to Jesus

When all other sources fail,

Finds in Him the truest Friend

Amidst the worst travail.

 

Precious is the faith refined

By trials great and sore,

Which standing in the face of grief

Will worship and adore;

 

And bless the gracious hand of God

Which gives and takes away,

And chooses in His wisdom

What is best from day to day.

 

Precious is the faith that lifts

The heart to view each loss

In light of Jesus’ suff’ring

And the glory of the cross;

 

Which looks with loving confidence

On all that Jesus is,

Bestowing on Him honor

And the glory duly His.

 

Precious is the faith

That perseveres through every test,

Unwilling to relinquish hope

In heartache and distress;

 

Which drawing strength from Jesus

Presses forward through the fray,

And exercises patience

In response to each delay.

 

Precious is the faith

That calmly waits for God to move

Within the sovereign timing

That His wisdom does approve;

 

Which, trusting God completely,

Doesn’t rush or lag behind,

But seeks in every circumstance

To know His will and mind.

 

Precious is the faith that’s real

When life begins to wane,

Anticipating glory

And the joy of Heaven’s gain;

 

Where in God’s holy presence

Both the body and the soul

Will, in the twinkling of an eye,

Be made completely whole.

 

 © August 5, 2013 by Christine Nicole

Lovingly dedicated to Vicky Benson and my Aunt Geri who are living examples of a faith that is truly precious.

The Legacy Left Behind

Uncle Jim, Aunt Geri, & Me

2011 Elkhart County 4-H Fair



In the aftermath of losing yet another precious person in my life, I can’t help but ask myself , "What kind of legacy I am leaving for those who will come behind me?"  Everyone is a writer.  Perhaps not with pen and paper, but with every word spoken and deed done, we each write our own story on the parchment of the lives we touch.  

 

This thought sparks some compelling questions in my mind.  What kind of story am I writing on the hearts of those who know me best?  Will it be one worthy of being retold?  Will the lines reflect God's sacrificial love or a self-centered life?  Will it be a tale of blessings given or opportunities missed?

 

 I think I need to start each day by reviewing such questions, and then pray for God’s grace to make each moment count for Him.

  

A Life Well Lived

On Wednesday, August 7, my beloved Aunt Geri was gathered into the arms of Jesus.  We all knew early last week that it would only be a  short matter of time before God called her home, but somehow I never feel prepared for such moments, even though I know that they are an inevitable part of this life.

 Aunt Geri and Me ~ September 12, 2011

There really are not words adequate to describe the sweet combination of winning qualities that comprised Aunt Geri's character, but the tribute below provides at least a small snapshot of the special ways in which her deep, abiding love impacted my life.

A Life Well Lived
The Legacy of Geraldine Murray

January 20, 1920 — August 7, 2013

A life well lived and a soul well loved.  That’s how I would describe the beautiful woman I was blessed to call “Aunt Geri. “  To look into her eyes was like looking into the face of love itself.

Anyone fortunate enough to be called her kin was touched by a love that was truly unique, both in its quality and expression . . . a love that could only come straight from the heart of God.   If you were to ask her nieces and nephews who Aunt Geri’s “favorite” was, I think they would all say, “I was” . . . at least, I would. J

Aunt Geri had a way of making me feel like I was the most important person on the planet!  She knew how to listen, I mean really listen, not just with the ears on her head, but with the ears of her heart.  I knew my greatest struggles and deepest secrets were safe with her and would be carried straight to the Lord in prayer. 

Hardly a time drew to a close without Aunt Geri gently suggesting, “Let’s just take a moment to pray.”  Then I would listen with wonder and amazement as every joy and sorrow, problem and praise that I had just shared with her would wend its way into her thoughtful, heartfelt prayer.  Never once did I leave her presence without feeling wrapped in King’s love and clothed in heaven’s blessing.  The love she had freely received from God through Jesus Christ, she freely gave to others in His name.

Aunt Geri’s faith in God was real.  There was nothing shallow or superficial about it.  She didn’t just state it through her lips, she demonstrated it through a life of sacrificial love and faithful service to God and others.

 

One of the things I appreciated most about Aunt Geri is that she was not afraid to feel pain — her own or anybody else’s.  I remember the times, when touched by my heartache, she would shed quiet tears right alongside of me.  Then I would feel her gentle hand lifting my face as she would say with tenderness, “God knows.”

Aunt Geri had the uncanny ability to identify and sympathize with the human side of life, while lifting my heart to the sure hope found in God’s Word and the eternal reality of God’s love.

Aunt Geri mastered the art of living because she mastered the art of loving.  I am so thankful that I am just one of many who had the privilege of being touched by her ever compassionate and always caring heart. She loved deeply, just like Jesus, and she will be dearly missed this side of heaven.

 © August 2013 by Christine Nicole

My heart will always and forever treasure the joy of knowing her and being embraced by her heart.