It was a steady stream of family members that wanted time to share. The evening celebration had been a windstorm of emotion, affirmation, and thanksgiving. So when the opportunity presented itself to expose a personal reflection, many stepped forward.
August 30, 2006 was not a celebration of individual achievement. That would have been a party in a public place with a scripted agenda. Instead, this was family… children, grandchildren and yes, great-grandchildren, paying tribute to a woman of grace, generosity, authenticity and service.
The evening had chronicled, in powerful terms, the 90 years of life for Grace Wolgemuth, my mother. But as the night unfolded, it became clear that no “gold watch” would be necessary to commemorate this life well lived. In reality, each individual thought unknowingly centered around one overriding characteristic of this woman.
Grace understands people. She listens well enough to know, cares deeply enough to engage, and loves genuinely enough to serve. Grace comprehends the strengths and weaknesses of those she relates to. In her case, love is not blind…rather it is well informed and committed. That’s why she opts not to ignore weaknesses in people.
All of us… every single last one of us that shared… ultimately hunkered down on the reality that this life had made our lives more beautiful, more rich, more sensitive, more gracious, less selfish, and yes, more Christ centered.
Grace’s trophies were the lives around the room. Without an agenda or a game plan, one life at a time, Grace had poured into individuals to help draw out strengths and overcome weakness.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 2: 4, 5
Obviously, Grace gets it. We are living stones. And she, now for 90 years, has helped to build this wonderful, spiritual house.
What a testimony, what a model… a compelling love, toward a transformed life, for the glory of God.
Happy 90th birthday Grace, Mom, Gaye, Great-Grandma Gaye… you are loved.
Dan (and for you alone… Danny)
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