“Bouquet of Chrysanthemums,” 1881, Auguste Renoir. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

A Constant Example – We all need someone to guide us from time to time…

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  Francis of Assisi

A Constant Example

We all need someone to guide us from time to time;

A constant example to look to when we face something new.

We all seek someone to help us along the way;

A constant example to encourage us to take the next step.

I am grateful for those who have done so in my life;

They are constant examples through whom God consistently leads me.

Felecia R. Weber 2015, OntheWingofaDove.com

I can think of many people who have served as constant examples in my life.  They’ve been the ones to whom I’ve turned to for guidance when I didn’t know what to do.  They were the individuals who’ve provided spiritual and physical support to me when I’ve needed it the most.  Although I am grateful for each and every one of them, I would like to give a very special thanks to the constant example that God has provided for me in my late husband, Stephen.  The excellence and consistency in character that he demonstrated throughout all of our years together, and especially in the example I’ve described below, will always serve as a goal for me to strive for…

During the latter stage of Steve’s illness when we were returning home from our last trip to visit with our family together, our connecting flight was cancelled due to a storm back on the east coast.  As we learned of the disappointing news, I could see the pain and distress in Steve’s eyes.  Although he just sat quietly as I made arrangements to get us booked onto another flight, which meant landing at a different airport and having to rent a vehicle to travel back to the airport that we’d originally flown out of so we could pick up our car, we both realized all of the extra logistics would add several hours to the last leg of our trip home.  That did not even include the drive from the airport to our home.  Steve was already exhausted and he had taken the last of his pain medication, which would not provide relief for him much longer.  To be honest, at that point, I was feeling so overwhelmed, angry and frustrated that I wanted to cry.  It was then that Steve reached out, gently took hold of my hand, and assured me that everything would be fine because God had the situation all under control.  My heart quieted and I sat there  marveling at the calm, stoic strength demonstrated by my constant example.

After a rough flight, waiting in long lines and an uncomfortable ride in the airport shuttle, we eventually made it to the rental car facility.  By then, I had reached the end of my supply of patience.  My feelings of frustration returned when I learned that I would need to drive a mini-van, the smallest vehicle that was available at that time of night, in the heavy rain, and on an unfamiliar, winding parkway for quite some distance.  Again, at that moment, Steve, my constant example calmed me.  While he waited for me to finalize the rental car transaction, I noticed that he was leaning over the counter with his eye closed and his head downcast in his hands.  I couldn’t even imagine the pain that he must have been experiencing, given his pain medication had worn off long ago.  When the representative courteously offered Steve a bottle of water and asked if he would like to sit down, Steve merely answered, “No thank you, I am just not feeling very well,” and he continued to wait quietly until we were all set and ready to continue on our way.

By the time we got home, and had settled into bed, Steve thanked me for taking such good care of him and for making out trip home go so smoothly despite the delays.  At that, I did break down and cry…not tears of frustration, but tears of gratitude for my dear husband, my precious constant example…I thank God every day for such a gift.

Peace and love,

Felecia