This week I was able to share one of Richard’s gems with my next-door neighbor in Prescott where I am now living. She showed me the koi stained glass mosaic she was working on and said it needed a green background. In Richard’s collection of stained glass pieces, I knew I had some that would be perfect and I invited her over to look through it. As I handed her multiple pieces of an opaque green she started protesting, “Marty don’t you want to keep some of this for yourself.” I assured her that I was happy to give it to her and finally said what Richard always told me, “People matter more than things.” She looked at me with surprise and said, “That’s beautiful.”
It truly is a beautiful thought and if we were to put it into practice, how much more we would please God with our generosity and thoughtfulness. I think there are many other words we could add to that quote, “People matter more than things, accomplishments, being right, etc., etc.” It really comes down to recognizing that people have an eternal nature, but nothing else does. All that we pour into people will live on, while possessions and positions will be gone and forgotten.
I’m trying to keep this in mind continually in a new place as I meet new people. Each person I come in contact with is an eternal soul that I have the opportunity to build up and encourage. It’s a continual battle for me; am I going to think of others more than myself or put myself and things before others?
Before he died, Richard really modeled this for me. Wherever we went he would engage other people, asking them questions about their life and what mattered to them. I think being other-focused helped him go through his illness with greater grace and joy. I know without a doubt our life was blessed because of it.
Because I gave away most of Richard’s stained glass after he died, I am blessed with a gorgeous window that the recipient of the glass made for me. Every time I look at the window, I think of Richard and the blessing he was to others because he poured himself into them. I’m encouraging you to ask yourself the same questions I am asking myself: “What would God have me share or give to someone else this week? What can I be pouring into others instead of myself?”
Proverbs 11:25 – A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
This was beautiful. Thank you for this reminder, Marty. I get so caught up in my to-do list that I walk right by the people in my path who need a smile, a word of encouragement, or just some of my time. May I slow down this week and see the people around me.
Wow thanks Marty this story goes with our sermons from are church last week Pastor Alex Sermon Title: The Generous Life last week theme was The Treasure Hunt Point 1 We are all Treasure Hunters Point 2 There’s more to life then earthly treasure and conclude with Ask God for a new heart that beats to be generous it.
Sounds a lot like what Richard would say
Thank you Marty for this story at are church the Sermon Series is The Generous Life goes great with your story. Last week our Sermon Title was The Treasure Hunt Point 1 We are all Treasure Hunters, Point 2 There’s more to life than earthly treasure, and we concluded with Ask God for a new heart that beats to be generous. Sounds like something Richard would say.
Marty love this story we are doing a Sermon Series The Generous life and this story goes perfect with it.
Richard would be so proud of his legacy. This week his granddaughter lived out the idea that people matter more than accomplishments when she stopped to help a friend who fell during a cross country race rather than keep on running like she wanted to do. Our actions reveal what lies in our heart. The interesting part is that she still won the race. Maybe we’re looking at the next Eric Liddell.