Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Loving Tibute to God's Child

Today, I would like to dedicate this writing to one of God’s children that has just recently gone home to be with her Heavenly Father. She was a woman that fought the good fight, who loved all who God placed in her path and truly understood what it meant to live in the “sweet spot.” (See yesterday’s blog, Finding the Sweet Spot)

Her name is Susie Edwards and she was the epitome of one who loved her Lord and was always busy in His service. For the past twelve years, Susie, with the help and support of her husband, Dewitt, was the custodial engineer at our church, Clearview Baptist in Travelers Rest, S.C.

Though I knew Susie in passing and spoke to her and Dewitt every chance I got, we were not close friends. We were in different Sunday School classes, had different friends and interests that had us move in different circles of service within the church….but you could tell when you walked into ANY portion of our church….from Sanctuary to the Nursery or from the bathrooms to the Family Life Center…that Susie had been there.

It was evident in all that Susie did that she lived by the scripture found in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Susie Edwards found her “sweet spot” and she reveled in serving her Lord …one clean room at a time. Each Sunday morning, when I walked into my classroom and began to prepare for the lesson, I could tell that Susie had been there. The chalk board was clean, the wastebasket empty and a new trash bag placed ever so perfectly in the container….the chairs were in perfect order rather than the disarray from the previous Sunday’s lesson …the étagère was dusted,even polished…bright and radiant in its wooden splendor. No detail or task too great or small was left undone ….Susie had been there …and God approved.

Susie fought the good fight against cancer and though her battle was not won on earthly terms, she is the victor…for she would not let this horrible disease keep her from loving her family and trusting in her Lord ….and now, she has found another “sweet spot”….seated at the feet of he Savior, looking into His loving eyes. She is at Home …at Peace….at Rest. Now, the angels are cleaning her mansion for she has heard her Lord say, “Well done, my child! Welcome home. Enter into the joy of your Lord …for your service has brought me much glory!”

To Dewitt and daughters… and to all of Susie’s extended family…God Bless You as you hold tight to the precious memories of your dear wife, mother and friend. The poem that follows is dedicated to Susie….we shall see her again.





…….I’M JUST GOIN’ HOME…….

There’s a day in the distance, one that I can’t see
When the angels bound from Heaven are comin’ to get me.

I’ll see that heavenly gleam of the host gathered ‘round the throne
And then I’ll know it’s time for me to be finally goin’ home.

Now, I look forward to that precious day when I enter those Pearly Gates…
For I’ll be arriving right on time…not too soon, but never late!

I’ll stand before my Lord and King in that grand and glorious place
And humbly bow before Him as I look upon His face.

I’ll look into His loving gaze as tears fill my Savior’s eyes…
He’ll take me by the hand and say, “Arise, my child, Arise.”

He’ll lead me down the streets of gold; we’ll walk by the crystal sea.
He’ll take me to my mansion …the wondrous place He’s prepared for me.

Though I’ve left behind the ones I love who mean so much to me,
At last, I’m home …where I belong …at rest…at peace and free!

Do not grieve for me, my loved ones, for my work on earth was done….
Now at last, I’m at home, rejoicing…. with my Father and His Son.

I thank our Lord for each of you …for the memories we’ll share;
Please know that I am with you ….. Just waiting over there.

For now I’m whole and free at last; at rest in our Savior’s arms,
And I will keep watch over you to keep you safe from harm….

For I know that day is coming…it’s one that you can’t see;
When angels will be sent to earth to bring you home to me….

So, I will wait with open arms…from Heaven’s gate I won’t roam…..
I’m looking forward to that day….when you’ll be comin’ home.


W Patrick Queen
July 2009

Monday, July 20, 2009

FINDING THE SWEET SPOT

As a former PGA golf professional, I understand and have a deep appreciation (some might say passion) for the “SWEET SPOT” of the golf club. The sweet spot is that center-most position of the club’s face that when properly applied to the rear and lowest spot on the golf ball will produce the desired, even exquisite, results.

It is also common knowledge that when the sweet spot of the golf club is expertly applied time and time again, the face will soon exhibit a lasting impression of well-worn application ….much to the joy and gratitude of the golfer that has welded the instrument…in other words, one happy and complete golfer who takes great pride in playing the game of golf at its highest and best level.

The same can be applied to each of us and our own individual “sweet spot.” Take for instance, the master builder Bezalel and what the Holy Scripture has to say regarding his “sweet spot.”

See I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri of the tribe of Judah. I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God. I have given him great skill, ability and knowledge to do all kinds of work. He is highly capable as an artistic designer of pieces made from gold, silver and bronze. He is able to cut precious jewels and mount them in metal. And, he is a master carver of all kinds of wood.” Exodus 31:2-5 (TLB)

God created this man and gifted him with all the talents and abilities he would need to become a master artisan …a highly skilled craftsman that would use his God-given talents to design and create the meeting tent, the Ark of the Covenant and all the items there within. He gifted him with a “sweet spot” that made him unique…one of a kind in the eyes and favor of the Lord…and God has done the same for each of us.

You and I are unique in the eyes of our Creator; gifted with a “sweet spot” that we alone possess…for the glory and edification of our Lord.

What is your “Sweet Spot”….what talent or gift drives you, completes you and extols you to be all that God has created you to be….are you a gifted musician or talented singer that brings joy and encouragement to those that hear your music? Are you a teacher that thrives on sharing ideas and seeing growth in your students? Do you manage people well or are you the one that sits in the President’s chair and makes all the tough decisions? Does the summer sky inspire you to draw or paint in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and to share that vision with those around you….or do you drive a school bus and safely and patiently deliver your precious cargo to their appointed destination?

Whatever your “sweet spot”…..true fulfillment in life, even life itself, is about finding and doing what God has called you to do. Yes, the true joy in life is finding what you were meant to do…. and then doing it as often and as much as possible!!!!!

So go on…MAKE GOD HAPPY!!!!!! Find your “sweet spot” and do that which makes you unique and brings God honor and glory over and over and over again….and just like the face of my golf club, you will make a lasting impression by the well-worn application of a life well-lived….

Living in the SWEET SPOT ….Giving God the Praise,
WPQ

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Very Special Day!

I have been incognito for the past month because my computer has been in the shop; however, miracle of all miracles, it was finally returned to me yesterday...just in time to celebrate a very special day in my life.

The following blog was written last year at this same time...therefore, I believe it is timely and appropriate for me to share this with each of you again...read on and share in my JOY!!!!!!

God Bless,
WPQ


Today is a Very Special Day in my life…..no, it’s not my birthday or Christmas in July or any national holiday. It’s a day that holds significance for just a handful of people, but it is a day that I celebrate with great joy. It is my beautiful wife’s birthday. Now, being the gentlemen that I am precludes me from telling you what number it is or when she was born or any other tell tale information that might leak that protected number….let me just say that she is as young and even more beautiful than when we met some twenty years ago.

Now I know that for a lot of people, there is much significance in the number of birthdays you celebrate. For me, I always reasoned that your birthday was just the first date on your tombstone, followed by a dash (-) and then the date you departed this earth. I have always believed that it didn’t really matter if you celebrated a birthday, but rather, you should celebrate what you do during the dash (-)….the life that you live is what really matters most. And when I consider that, my lovely wife is making the most of her dash (-)!!!!!!!!

In Proverbs 31, Solomon shares the marvelous attributes of a godly wife and each time I read those verses, I see my wife and all that she has become in the nineteen years in which she has enriched my life. In verse 10, she is an excellent wife who is far more precious than jewels, who has my complete trust and admiration. In verse 15, he speaks to how wonderful she is in managing our household while ever excelling in her business as resale specialist at The Cliffs. In verse 17, he extols her great fashion sense and modest attire that is always impeccable and stylish. In verse 20, I see her as she works diligently for those less fortunate and how she uses her God-given talents to inspire others to be all that God desires for them to be. She is never lazy, idle or immobile, but ALWAYS ready to lend a helping hand and ask nothing in return. Strength and dignity are girded about her and those who are touched by her laughter can only be encouraged for a brighter day. Her daughter is blessed beyond measure to have such a loving and thoughtful mother and I, too, am the richest man I know; simply because she belongs to me.

Many women have done excellently, but she outshines them ALL….at least that is my humble opinion.

Yes and with all that we have been through in our years as husband and wife, I have learned to NEVER underestimate the abilities, the passion or the love of this woman and to know that as Solomon concluded at the end of this chapter….

A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART….YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND AND I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS MY WIFE, MY CONFIDANT AND MY BEST FRIEND!!!!!

If you are blessed like I am, don’t wait for a birthday to let you wife know how fortunate you are that she belongs to you….make a difference in her dash that we call …LIFE.

Blessed and believing,
WPQ