Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
Oh, did I ever prosper and oh, was I ever refreshed! I started out just mailing cassette tapes to the shut-ins. They were the people associated with my previous church who for health reasons could not attend services either on a regular basis or in some cases at all. It was called the tape ministry. After I got involved it became more than just that. I started calling the shut-ins on the phone on a regular basis in an attempt to encourage them. Boy, were my eyes ever opened. Some of these people were the most spiritual people I had ever met. None more spiritual than Mrs. Alta Mae Bryant however. She was so loving, generous, and compassionate. I can only hope that she got as much out of our phone conservations as I did. After talking to Mrs. Bryant it would take hours to come down. She really lifted my spirits and refreshed my soul. I didn’t know it at the time but the above referenced verse could not be more true. I would wholeheartedly recommend that everyone latch on to an encourager like her especially if you consider yourself to be an encourager. God used her in such dramatic ways that allowed me to go on and attempt to encourage others who were in severe need. What I think interesting however is that Mrs. Bryant was in the worst physical condition than any of the other shut-ins in the group but she was by far the most positive and up-lifting. I wrote the following poem upon Mrs. Bryant’s death and her son read it at her funeral. I wish you could have met her, she was indeed a lady of light. Praise the holy name of Jesus!
Lady Of Light
I used to call her up on the phone,
Just to stay in touch.
She’d praise God all the while,
Lord I loved her so much.
It’s not often we meet a saint,
Or someone with such a gift.
She always knew just what to say,
Just when I needed a lift.
I always considered her part of the team, Helping in my fight.
She was the reason I went on,
She was a lady of light.
She wasn’t defeated or forced to succumb,
In everything she gave her all.
She simply knew that it was time,
To answer heavens final call.
In matters of friendship she was a lamb,
To the wolves quite defiant.
I thank God she crossed my path,
I miss my friend Alta Mae Bryant.