Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Words of Blessing - Touching the Life of a Young Mom

Years ago when I was a young mom, an older woman in church gave me a little card with a handwritten Bible verse. I kept it tucked in my Bible for years and felt her prayer each time I read it.

 
Vivian inspired me with her teacup collection - every cup and saucer was different. I've collected individual teacups and share tea with visitors to express our uniqueness. My guests choose their cup just like God chooses them to be His child. My collection is no where near Vivian's, but it reminds me of how precious we are to God.


I just discovered that Vivian Stuns is sitting at the feet of Jesus in Heaven. She died October 8, 1998 and I didn't know. Yet this verse of Scripture is a legacy she left for me.

These words, handwritten on a small card touched my life in a powerful way and I want to share them with you:

"And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, and to the glory and praise of God." 

Philippians 1:9-11 NAS

The NLT says it this way:

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God."

Thank you, Vivian for your prayer of blessing on my life. I remember your gentle spirit of kindness to me in a little Rhode Island church. Life was busy with three little children and your kind way was a gift to a busy mom.

Now I pray these words into the lives of those I love.

 
It's amazing what a tiny 2x3" card with a verse will accomplish; a small gesture with a powerful affect.

I hope this prayer of blessing from Philippians 1:9-11 touches your life too.

Remembering a kindness from a sweet friend,

Remembering Vivian M. Stuns 
Thank you!
5/3/1916 - 10/8/1998

Jeanne

Tweetables:

 A small gesture with a powerful affect. (Click to Tweet)

With the loss of my Memere so recent in my mind, I cried fresh tears today for both she and Vivian. I am incredibly blessed to have wonderful women to influence me and encourage me on my journey of faith. My heart aches from the pieces that are missing.

I am still on sabbatical and am limiting my online access. If this message has blessed you, please share it with a friend.

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful! When we moved my mother to a nursing home, I cleaned out her house and came across sweet, sweet cards friends at written her, thanking her for many things: home baked bread she shared, financial gifts, letters of encouragement and prayers. I got to know a different side of my mother and kept each precious card.Thanks for sharing your story.

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  2. Jess, thank you for sharing your story. What a wonderful gift you received from your mom--these testimonies from others of her giving heart.

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  3. What a blessing for you, Jeanne. Vivian was giving to you, the gift the Lord had touched her with. This gift, note, brought you encouragement, but also, you felt Vivian's love for you and your little family. Think of the many notes, words of encouragement you have written,spoken.............just as Vivian, you are paying it forward. We are all His vessels.
    Bless you Mom

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  4. Mom,
    You are right in saying that this opened my eyes more to the impact something like this has on others. A simple gift - but one that is priceless.

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  5. Very touching! It strikes me in such a personal way. I was drawn by the teacups (haha - just my thing) and it brought memories of the note cards I have saved over time as well as those I had distributed to others. I miss doing that and will take it up again. So precious to get a hand delivered note or receive a blessing in 'snail mail'. And why, oh why did I give away my eclectic entourage of porcelain teacups? Tea is just not the same without them! Thank you for the blessing that you are to me. ~Rebecca

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  6. So sweet! I know there have been lots of men and women who've touched my life over the years. Many of their names are forgotten but the blessings God gave me through them still grows in my heart.

    Thank you for posting a reminder of all of God's special people who gave gifts of love and encouragement to me.

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  7. Sherry, it is amazing how someone's face pops into mind when we think of those blessings. Vivian is one, quiet little lady who touched lives with her words. We often think it needs to be something BIG in order to BLESS. No so!
    Thanks for your comments :)

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  8. Beautiful reminder of the power we have to affect lives without even realizing it. What a precious lady!

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  9. I have a folder labeled "special letters" in which I keep notes people have sent to me. It's so encouraging to open it once in a while and read them.

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  10. Donna, that is funny--I save my notes of encouragement too. It's all too often that we remember only the negative comments we hear. So, these notes are a blessing to me.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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