“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Today I am sharing with you, the story of seven siblings (Kenedy, Emer, Jackie, Emmanuel, Patrick, Julius and Genevieve), who are, to the best of my knowledge, a wonderful example of Proverbs 22:6.
If you are like me then you will admit to be drawn to the beautiful faces and smiles of the individuals on the pictures. Yes, they are beautifully made in the image of our Creator. Yes, they are unique and they are my family. What you may know or not know about them is that they have lost both parents; their Father in 1992 and their Mother two years ago, on August 29th, 2010).
Aunt Sarah was a beautiful, gentle, soft-spoken and a woman of noble character; even when she tried to frown, it only accentuated her beauty. She was a Christian who never cheated life; who believed, followed the Words of God and gave thanks in all things. Being in her presence was comforting and when she smiled at you, all you could do was smile back. She was a biological mother to seven wonderful individuals and an adoptive mother to countless. She embraced everyone who crossed her path as her own. She didn’t just tell you how much she loved you; she made sure you felt it. She was a Mother, a Friend, a Comforter, a fervent server of the Lord and she lived a life that some of us can only dream of. She did an amazing job raising her children, who are a great examples of what Proverbs 22:6 is all about.
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” – Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)
Some might think that in losing their parents they had lost everything. It’s quite the opposite because in losing both parents, they gained new strength. I am not insinuating that they don’t care or that they don’t feel a thing. The pain is there. It is raw, perpetual and it will only ebb with time. I know because I have walked in their shoes.
When my Sister suddenly died in 1998, Jackie was the one by my side. She stood strong by me and showed me unconditional love. She became the other voice of reason; she helped mend the pieces of my shattered heart. She pretty much took over my shadow and kept me sane. Thank you, Jackie, for everything and for being such a loving and caring person.
This is the legacy aunt Sarah instilled in her children – devotion to God, respect for self and compassion toward others.
They were thought at a very young age to walk by faith and to live by hope. They were thought to be kind, especially to the unkind and hope that their love is strong enough to move them.
They are now stronger than ever. Love grows more love and it’s in giving that we receive (St. Francis of Assisi).
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” – 1 John 3:1 (NLT)
Whenever we forgive truly and love someone with the intend to elevate them, something miraculous happens and our lives are changed. We do not have to love people because they mean something to us; we have to love and respect them because they exist and because God teaches and commands us to love one another.
By JM Perez
