Isaiah 3-5 / 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 / Psalm 53 / Proverbs 22:28-29
I’ve noticed something over the years that is disturbing. When someone dies, the family and friends of the deceased get a little weird about their possessions. I’ve seen squabbles, grabs for things someone has no right to, etc. It seems that instead of grieving as a priority, some are concerned with what they will gain by this person’s passing.
In 1998 a family friend passed away. Myra and her husband Roy had been part of the church my daddy pastored. Myra came with her baggage, just like we all do, but she really was a precious lady. After the church was disbanded in 1984 and my parents moved to North Carolina in 1988, Myra would call me to talk and ask for prayer. I didn’t much understand why she had chosen me as a trusty ear, but she did.
In 1998 I was receiving the occasional call as usual. I would pray for her, encourage her and love on her as best I could. When I went through my divorce in 1985, I lived with Myra for a few months during my transition. She had been very kind to me, taking me in during a time of need. In the fall of 1998, we were called to visit her in her hospital room and asked to bring her earrings for her to choose a favorite pair. I didn’t yet realize that she had been told she was dying.
Jeff and I went to visit, taking all her earrings as requested. When we arrived, her lawyer was also present. There was some paperwork that we were being asked to sign because Myra wanted me to execute her will when the time came. I just didn’t realize how short the time was. When she passed November 25th, the lawyer contacted us, telling us that not only was I to execute her will, but also everything she owned had been left to me. I was stunned.
I didn’t have a chance to ask her why she had made this decision, and I was certainly baffled by it. She had a brother that she had raised as a son. Wouldn’t he have wanted everything? It turns out that because they were estranged, she chose me instead. She had a sister in Florida and several other distant family members. As I went through all her possessions in her home (which she also left to us), I found many things that I was sure family would want.
There were requests from family members for certain items, which I gladly gave, letting them know to request whatever they wanted. Although there were a few requests, most items were sorted and sold at an estate sale. I do still have a few items and I think of Myra every time I see these items.
The family was a little strange at the funeral when they realized that Jeff and I had been given everything. I totally understand that, and the situation made us feel very awkward. We had not asked for any of what we had been given, but I’m sure there was resentment, and what was done was done.
Proverbs 22:28 tells us Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. When I read this verse, the previous story came to mind. God has given us an inheritance, both spiritually and physically. He gave us what He did for ourselves. But He also knows that when we move to heaven someone will inherit our possessions, our legacy and possibly our mantle. Someone will inherit our “boundaries”.
For some reason, God had decided I would inherit Myra’s legacy. To bring a little context, I do believe God put it on Myra’s heart in response to a word He spoke to Jeff a few years prior. God was using the relationship I had with Myra, along with the resources He had blessed her with to fulfill His word to us.
I don’t remember the year, but Jeff came home from his job at an auto dealership one day telling me that God had told him we needed to pay off all debt within five years. Once we had direction from the Lord, we went to work to obey that word. Jeff was great at his job, making very good money. I used every bonus he brought home to make a direct payment on the principle of our home. With the money left us from the sale of Myra’s home and her retirement account, our debts were wiped clean.
We were in awe. Not only did God speak a word to us, but I also believe He saw our hearts and that we were willing to work to obey Him, so He dumped blessing on us to help fulfill that word. In May 2000 we discovered the reason God needed us out of debt. God called Jeff to quit his job in the car business and to begin work in the field of residential construction. Myra’s house was the first we remodeled and sold.
Thank you to Myra Fuller for hearing God’s voice and being part of His plan for our lives. And thank you Father in heaven for guarding and fulfilling Your Word. What has God spoken to you? What has He asked you to do? I recommend that you quickly do the next thing that looks like obedience, then keep being obedient. God may just show up to fulfill His word to you!
