Miss Ina’s Advice
On Sunday Ray and I got to visit with many of the folks who were in the last congregation where he served as minister. Because we live a little more than half hour away, we run into some of these folks from time to time, but this was an event which drew many of our old friends.
One was Miss Ina. She has changed little in the many years I have known her. She looked wonderful, her hearing seemed perfect, and she was walking without a cane or walker though her smiling relative who was with her (a nephew, I think) was holding on to her arm.
Miss Ina is sweet and positive and has a soft and sweet southern drawl. She’s a servant. I remember her taking on major responsibilities in rearing her great-granddaughter many years ago. She was 76 when she started.
Almost as soon as Miss Ina and I greeted one another, she said, “I’m 96 1/2.”
I asked, “What is your secret?”
In her gentle way, she smiled and said, “Work.”
She also said, “I’ve had fun getting here.”
A little while later, she got my attention again to tell me one more secret: “Enjoy every day.”
Among the many goals you have for your children this school year, I encourage you to include learning to work and learning to enjoy every day. Faithful, godly Miss Ina is on to something.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily,
as for the Lord rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive
the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23-24
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance.
In Your name they rejoice all the day,
And by Your righteousness they are exalted.
Psalm 18:15-16
