Remembering Bev

It is with a sad heart that I write this posting. Last night my sister-in-law, Bev, was killed in a car wreck in Mexico. She lived as a widow after my brother, Don, went to be with the Lord three years ago. They both died on the same day, May 10th.

A couple of weeks ago Bev was in our home for a five day visit. When I took her to the airport she told me how much she loved “hellos” and disliked “goodbyes.” After unloading her suitcases from the back seat of my car and placing them on the sidewalk in front of the terminal, we gave each other a goodbye hug. I had no idea we would never again have the opportunity to say “hello” in this life.

Bev served the Lord faithfully for over forty years in Mexico. She was a woman who was called of God and she never lost her focus, her passion, or her purpose. She was sixty-seven and going strong. She was not like a rocket that was out of fuel and tumbling back to earth; rather, she was like a rocket that had just ignited its final boosters and was climbing into new orbits. In many ways, Bev was at her peak in ministry, in spiritual authority, and in her walk of faith.  She was not a retired missionary widow who was sitting back in some church pew passively waiting for the coming of the Lord.

During her recent visit with us, I asked her to speak to a class I was teaching at our church. Her opening remarks caught my attention and I immediately wrote them down. Here are her words: “God can do anything He wants to do, at any time He wants—if we are yielded to Him.” She went on to say, “Life is never boring when we are walking in obedience to the Lord.”

It is not by coincidence that I came across two Scriptures this morning that echoed Bev’s words. The first Scripture was from Acts 3:22, “Give heed to everything He says to you." The second was from John 2:5, “Whatsoever He says to you, do it.”

The Scripture from John 2:5 was part of a devotional reading for May 11th from the book, “Thoughts for the Quiet Hour.” As I read the devotional that followed the Scripture it was as if Bev was writing a final word of goodbye…
“If I could give you information of my life, it would be to show how a woman of very ordinary ability has been led by God in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her. And if I could tell you all, you would see how God has done all, and I nothing. I have worked hard, very hard, that is all; and I have never refused God anything.” –Florence Nightingale

Comments

[Jennifer]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[Linda]

What a testimony! My life was changed and deeply impacted by the brief time I knew her. God had our paths intersect for a divine purpose, some of which is yet to be revealed. I thank God for His faithful servant Bev who showed me so much, and mentored me so deeply in a few short days. Her life is an example of one who passionately loved Jesus and clearly walked in the Holy Spirit.

Changed by the presence of God,
Linda

[Laura Harper-Prather]

Roy,

Thank you for the beautiful tribute to Bev. I am so encouraged by your words and remembering Bev's life. Sometimes I forget I still have a purpose. We can all start to believe that are past disqualifies us or we compare ourselves to others. The last 2 days I have been thinking so much about looking at everything in light of Eternity.

Much love,

Laura

[Linda]

Bev, I miss you!! Roy, I am praying for you...
Missing her and yet knowing I don't wish her back for she is truly HOME.

Linda

[cathy davis]

So sorry to read about the loss of your sister-in-law. I'm glad y'all were able to spend some together just a short time ago.