One of my childhood Sunday School teachers passed away this week. Her funeral was today. I was not able to go, well because, my circus & my monkeys probably would not have been quiet enough for my taste.

But I’ve been thinking about Shirley since I learned she passed. My mom whispered it to me in church on Sunday morning & I immediately teared up. I’m a bit on the sensitive side these days…emotions tend to bubble right under the surface & tears leak out more often than I would like.

But these tears were justified.

I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I was in her class. Younger than a teen, but older than early elementary school. I’m guessing 10ish? That nice awkward age.

Shirley was no nonsense.

But she was kind.

And she knew her Bible.

Her Bible.

That’s what I will remember most about her.

It was marked up.

Passages were underlined & highlighted.

I remember thinking, I want my Bible to look like that one day!

I’ve heard the expression, “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

I think that’s fitting.

Thank you Shirley, for blessing all the kids you taught. We didn’t know it then, but we sure do now, how dedicated you were. Thank you for pouring into little souls that were awkward & unappreciative at times.

I’m so happy for you, that you are enjoying your eternal reward with the Jesus you loved so very much.

The Ray Boltz song Thank You For Giving to the Lord” could’ve been written about Shirley. Give it a listen or just read the words & you will get a glimpse of a life well lived for Jesus.

And go mark up your Bible. I think she always pointed us to the book of John when we were new in our faith.

Thank you Shirley. You are missed.

I’m working on my Bible.

Thank You For Giving to the Lord ~ lyrics by Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing

Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart.

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn’t have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

One by one they came
Far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know that up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave