An old co-worker gave me a paperweight that said "Autograph your work with excellence." A trendy line to say the least, but I have used it many times in my professional career. I would tell my techs when a service advisor or manager, do the job so well that whoever works on the car next will be impressed by who worked on it last-you. Double check your work, I rather delay having the job completed by a day correctly, than have the customer return with a problem associated with the repair. At that point it is on us, and no one makes money on comebacks! Take the time to check your work! To me it makes sense, am I alone with this?
We recently had our RMZ450 engine rebuilt. They gave us a fair price, actually a very good price, and we were told how good the tech was that was rebuilding it. But yet when we got it back, it was leaking. And because we got such a great deal, they wanted to charge us for fixing the leak, or take the bike. We took the bike! Why? Because like I told them, your tech might be great, but my bike is leaking, you didn't fix the bike. And no matter the discount, I paid too much, because the bike isn't fixed to my expectations. I rather have paid full price and had it done right. And this "great tech," can't say anything good about him, sad to say. We will probably never go back to this dealer, which is sad, because they were our friends before they worked on our bike. All I wanted was my bike repaired-was that too much to ask?
Obviously, and we have been turned into a buyer beware world. From cars to blenders, and contractors to motorcycles, few people say what they mean, or mean what they say. And last Sunday one of the few who did passed on to heaven. I first met Willa when she was in Sharp Hospital in Chula Vista. Waiting to get well enough for heart surgery, I had been told about her and her condition by someone at church, so rode the 80 mile round trip to see her. When I first saw her, I thought maybe she was dead, or in a coma, but she was resting. After identifying myself, and asking what I could do for her, she she asked me to read Psalms to her. And so our relationship began. And for over four years, I watched as this lady of God cheated death many times, while selflessly being part of a Senior Nursing Home Ministry with Pastor Mark. She made quilts-I still have mine, and little drink and "stuff" holders for draping over the senior's walkers-all on her own money. And would visit 2-3 times a week to see her flock, and minister to them. She was part of our Friday night Bible study, and knew her Bible, and asked some great questions, always trying to get closer to God.
She and I were special friends, when she would be hospitalized, I was the first one she would request, and we shared so many great times in the Lord. Her last time was last month, and Theresa's kids made her a heart with "Jesus loves you!" written on it, and then all the kids put their hand prints on it. It is a ministry to them, and Willa called it her valentine, and it was on the wall in front of her bed for all to see. And when we would see each other, she always was grateful for it, and reminded us. She lived to share God, and to get closer to Him, and last Sunday she got her wish. She finally was with her Jesus!
I got the e-mail, and by the time I got to Palomar, she was in heaven. She had a DNR-do not resuscitate order, and drifted off painlessly to heaven. All the dreams she had were now reality. And when I saw Pastor Mark, I told him how I had prayed with her Friday, and her last words were thanks for her valentine's day card. But when I told him I was praying for God to take her home, he smiled and said "you both got your prayer answered." I must admit I cried a little, maybe for me, but she is home at last, and no more pain.
God has built something into us, a hole if you will, that only He can fill. A personal hole in our spirit, that only Jesus can fill. And when He does, the Bible tells us we are born again, and going to heaven. And we can't wait to get there! But when we do, we also leave another hole, a hole that won't be filled. For we each are given a specific job by God to do while alive. Big or small, it is so important to God only we can do it. And it affects others we may never know about. Mordecai Ham, for instance. Who's he? Only the preacher that led Billy Graham to Christ. For we don't know the impact of our ministries until we get to heaven. For like Paul said, we only see in a mirror dimly. Big words for a time when there were no mirrors. So Willa is home, and has heard the words "well done my good and faithful servant." The rest of us are still waiting, and working. Our job for God is not done. We must carry on, keep loving, and keep sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. And when needed, use words. Or quilts, or whatever God has us to do in the moment. Just love, He tells us.
So autograph your life with excellence. The excellence of Jesus Christ. You will make mistakes, but honor them by making them right. Do the right thing, no matter the cost. Jesus did on the cross. And He still does for us today. Realize that our reactions can be more important than our actions, and honor your response in love. Take the time to be the only Jesus that person may see. Forgive, because Jesus forgave you. Knowing that love covers a multitude of sins-yours too. Willa knew these things, and showed them in her life. She loved God, and you could tell without words. And she was my friend-the only thing we had in common was Jesus. In other words everything.
And you know, that made all the difference. Let Jesus make a difference in your life. Show love today to someone. Do it for you, do it for Willa. But do it for Jesus, and soon you will hear the same well done from Him she did. DNR-it must be in your DNA, to get to Christ. We need to want heaven more than anything else-so much we are willing to die to get there. Just like our Lord and Savior did-Jesus Christ. So do not resuscitate me-I don't want to be here one second more than I have too. Dying in the Lord-it is truly well with my soul. It was for Willa.
love with compassion,
Mike
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