An Encouraging Friend . . . Fruitfulness in the Journey

As I was ready to turn off the light one night, an email full of encouragement and perspective came through from my now dear friend whom I have never met,* Peggy.

And this is how she ended her email:

. . . Thanking you for your book and encouragement, you came into my life at a good time.  I know you too have physical problems and I pray you can be patched up, you have so much to share and give to dumb people like I was. I hope you keep going a long time.  People such as me need and needed you.   God has so blessed you Jan… with so much to give and share.  I thought I was a lost cause. So, shake those dizzies and keep on sharing, love and blessings,  Peggy

I had to giggle. . . it sounded like Peggy was basically telling me to “Suck it up, Jan,” despite my vertigo and dizziness.

And the Holy Spirit whispered His encouragement and His own “Suck it up” to me:

If Peggy can keep on painting at 88 years of age, despite her health issues, you can keep on writing!”

Yes, my darling friend Peggy is 88 years old and still painting. So let me share a few of her gems with you:

This painting was after their trip to Israel when she was around 70 years old. About this painting and the trip, Peggy says,

“I only ever painted about 10 pictures or so.   2006 This man was driving a tram? up to the top of Masada, in Israel, where King Herod had built another castle for himself and his family.  I took a photo of him and then when we got home, I painted his head with watercolors from the photo.  About 12 x 18  The story of Masada is fascinating. We never traveled much but we got to Israel with some friends who went there frequently.   We stayed only a week and wish we had stayed longer, but I’m grateful for what we had . . . .  I’m so looking forward to meeting our beautiful Messiah.

[ Here is Peggy at 70 years old, riding the motorcycle that she decided to sell to pay for the trip to Israel. ]

Six years ago, Peggy painted this for her church VBS:

These were for the front of her home this year at Christmas:

Amazing paintings, aren’t they?

When I think of Peggy, I can’t help but think of these verses:

But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in him!”
Psalm 92:12-15 NLT

Peggy certainly keeps on loving and serving and letting God be the Artist HE IS, in and through her as He gives life and strength. I love getting Peggy’s emails . . . she encourages and inspires me.

Can I ask you, my friend? Do you have a friend or relative, a person who encourages you? Be sure to receive their lovely words of affirmation as a gift from God . . . and graciously respond. Don’t just brush them off.

On the other hand, do you have someone you can encourage? Why not say those kind, affirming words they may long to hear. And even “eulogize” those loved ones while they are still alive.

My friend Peggy encourages and inspires through her example, her sweet words of affirmation, and her gentle exhortations to “suck it up and press on.”

May we all do the same, by the grace of our indwelling God, for those we meet along life’s journey. Amen.

*This explains a bit more about Peggy and her dear husband Ernie and how she and I “met.”

In Peggy’s words:

Had I told you what a blessing he is?  He has totally dedicated himself to taking amazingly, wonderful care of me.  I never had that in my whole life..  We pray together, and do a Bible study most every day, and Ern sings in the praise team too… the old codger.. ;-)My previous husband died of Lou Gehrigs disease, ALS.  I took care of him for 6 years at home.  He had been a WWII pilot, another story.  We did not know Jesus.So now, Ernie and I have been married almost 23 truly amazingly peaceful, happy years, and we know God put us together.  You know,  I never knew who God really was before I met Ernie, I was always somewhat skeptical. growing in the Lord much too slow, and then, not too long ago I read your life story and I believe I first wrote to your blog 2017 and then got your book. Ah yes, The Vine, you truly have helped me know Him, Jan.ok, that’s my story and I’m stickin to it!!!!!

For more GUEST BRANCHES — Sisters & Brothers in the Lord who have shared here at A Branch in the Vine, click HERE . . . You may even see someone you know!