The Beauty of a Life Well Lived

Aunt Sue

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 CSB

            She grew up in South San Francisco. She smoked cigarettes for 60 years. She wore a ruby ring on her pinky finger. She loved to sit in the sun and always tanned up perfectly for summer. She loved God.

            She left the world this month to live in eternity with her sister, brother-in-law and husband and smiled brightly when she knew heaven would give her a new, perfect body. When she came to know the Lord, she worried so intensely about the sins she had committed in her life. She feared she could not be forgiven for all the things she did wrong, but had faith that when she confessed, she would be forgiven and God would love her just the same.

            Her life was lived, like Christs, by loving others. She doted on her grandkids, she shared and listened to her nieces, she stood by her son as he struggled through the toughest years of his life. She did this all simply through loving them and making the choice to not be resentful, angered, and upset. Oh, she could get angry and upset (a little bit of her mother in her), but her decision to always smile and carry on by loving was what we all saw.

            Her friends came by the dozens to her side. Of course they did, what would life be like without her there to play cards or Bingo? They relied on her to count money, prepare Bingo cards, bake cupcakes, crochet a baby blanket, share a smile or a quick laugh.

She had a peace about her and a calmness which allowed her to be a caregiver to her husband and sister. She cooked for them, sat by them, smiled with them, and loved them. Just as Christ did for her and does for us. She followed in His footsteps.

She did not conform to this world (Romans 8:28), she chose to be different. Yes, she talked politics, even if you didn’t agree. Yes, she would gossip about the Bingo ladies who didn’t show up this week for this reason or another. Yes, she loved red wine. But she loved unconditionally. She loved grandchildren and great grandchildren who were not hers, but they didn’t know any different. She loved her boys and it didn’t matter their troubles or onery behaviors. She shared her love to everyone she met and people knew her everywhere she went.

Her choice to be different than what this world expects was what made her special. Her choice to live a life like Christ in the way she behaved, the love she shared, and the moments she laughed. The way she gave her heart away with no expectations to be given anything in return is what will be remembered.

She’s with Jesus now. We won’t see her smile, hear her laugh, or play cards with her, but we will see her love in every area of our lives because she made a difference and chose Christ over the world. All things worked together for good because she believed in a God Who promises He will bring joy to our lives. Her life was full of joy. That’s what we will remember when we think of Sue.