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| Painting by Patty Berry Rhodes |
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” -- Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
It has been nearly a year
since our dear friend, Patty Berry Rhodes, left this life so suddenly and so
young. In the year since her death,
those of us who love her, miss her, and grieve her loss continue to find the
many “holes” in this life that her absence leaves and find ourselves in an
incredible paradox. We rejoice that our
dear Patty is with the Lord and at the same time we grieve the loss of a life
that seemed to be on so many levels unfinished somehow. Or, was it?
Was it really unfinished or in God’s eyes, was His work in Patty
complete? Only the Lord truly
knows.
One thing I have come to know
is that since Patty’s death I find myself reflecting on her witness, her funny
sayings, her easy manner, and her smile.
I find myself asking the question of God, “What is it that I can do or
still need to do to make a difference to others? No one can be exactly like Patty, but her
life inspires me with a desire to “do more” and to live in a very intentional
and meaningful way. Make no mistake
here; I do not write this or pose the question to idolize Patty. She was a human being and a dear friend, but
she was just like all of the rest of us, a sinner who was saved by God’s Grace. I think it would make Patty a little more
than angry to think that any of us elevated her to a level any higher than
that.
Patty was first and foremost
a humble servant. She knew all of her
imperfections and struggled just like the rest of us. She didn’t think she had any special talent,
but she was willing to use the talent she had to make her church home a little
more beautiful for the Lord, and to earn a few extra dollars for the needs of
her family. We saw this talent, and we
know that God certainly used it, but somehow I imagine Patty never quite saw
herself as anything more than just “average.”
I suppose it is that humble spirit that endeared her to so many and that
God used in the short time she was here with us.
None of us have the view of
ourselves that God has of us. None of us
knows the potential we have of ourselves the way that God does. As much as I may dream and plan and wonder what
it is that my purpose or potential is, I must remember that God is the one in
charge. It is His plan that matters and
His “dream” for me will define my potential.
In the wee small hours of the morning, I sometimes find myself unable to
sleep with my mind churning away at warp speed a litany of my desires and
dreams. I have ideas for a book, a
ministry, a new way to reach the marginalized, a new strategy for teaching kids
about Christ, a very long list of people and situations that I am called to
lift in prayer, and the list goes on and on.
Then it happens --- I look back and see the “I” in the previous thought
and so many before it. “I” have this,
“I” ask that, “I” need to know, and “I” ask as “I” pray. My mind is so full of “I’s” that I forget
“You.” What is it that “You” want of me,
Lord? What is it that “You” want me to
know? How is it that I fulfill the
purpose and potential that “You” have ordained for me? After all, anything wonderful that I might
accomplish or any difference I might make in the lives of others here in this
life is not for my glory. It is for God’s
glory and it happens because He worked through me to make it so. I’m just the
vessel. God uses the vessel in the way
that He ordains because He sees with perfect eternal vision how that vessel
will be used and what the result will be.
Only God knows our true
potential. Only God knows our true purpose.
We may think we know, but only He truly knows. As much as we try to serve Him, fulfill our
purpose, and live out God’s plan for us, only God is truly in charge and only
He knows what that ultimate fulfillment will look like. I imagine that when Patty met Jesus face to
face she must have been surprised and delighted all at the same time. Her thoughts were not of the things she did
not do or left unfinished in her life.
God was in charge of the outcome and Patty’s work was complete.
So the question remains for
us in this life; what is it that we are to do to live at our full
potential? God has the simple
answer. He already knows the plan. He only needs us to be willing, humble,
available, and courageous enough to try whatever it is He asks of us. We keep our spiritual ears tuned in to the
voice of God, and we listen very carefully for the slightest whisper,
prompting, and tug at our heart. He
speaks softly, so we listen in a very intentional way to hear His voice. He wants us to yield and to fear not. We may feel afraid and even alone, but God
did not give us a spirit of fear. He
gave us the promise that He would be with us and would never leave or forsake
us. So we can make our plans and dream
our dreams, but we must do so ready to change direction or continue on when we
feel discouraged or uncertain. One thing
is for certain, when we submit to the will of the One who created us, we will
live at our full potential and accomplish much for the glory of the Lord. We may never see the product of our efforts
on this side of Heaven, but when we meet Jesus face to face, He will say to us
as I am sure he said to our friend, Patty, “Well done, thou good and faithful
servant.”
As I remember my dear friend,
these words from her heart still challenge and inspire me.
“God has a plan for you and not living with God as
your best friend and at your full potential is worse than building an 800
horsepower engine and never starting it.
Be all God Made You to Be.” –
Patty Berry Rhodes
Make your plans, dream your
dreams, submit them all to God and you will live at your full potential and for
His glory.
Blessings and peace to you --
Winnie
