Crash the Future

Ok, so I received an early Christmas present this year. It was probably the COOLEST Christmas present I've received. It's the Joby Harris framed print "The Barbarian Revolt" you see on my wall. I say, "was," because I'm not sure whether I still have it. You see, we just had someone try to burn down our church building and my office is now no longer quite as pristine as it appears in this picture. In fact, I'm thinking that I'll probably have to replace a fair number of items in my office. I'm just not sure how many yet.

The CSI guys are still combing through a bunch of ash, snow, and nastiness to look for evidence, so we haven't been able to actually step foot in our offices yet. I did get to look in from out in the hall, and it sure wasn't pretty. Maybe I'll post some initial pictures a little later, after the investigation has died down. But for right now I should wait to share those. Anyway...

The print was an idea of my Mom and Dad's. They contacted Joby Harris and got the print from him. Sarah then had it matted and framed. It was STINKIN' AWESOME! Who knows, maybe I'll be able to hang on to it and it won't be a total loss. I hope so.

My Grandmom Brown died this past Thursday. The funeral was Monday. I've been at a loss for how to write anything on the blog for the last week. Really, I've wanted to write something recognizing my Grandmom and her life. I've found myself writing a post, just to turn around and delete what I've written, and then do it all over again. It's just that my words seem to fall flat. At the same time, I can't imagine writing anything else and not recognizing this event in the life of an amazing woman whom I had the priviledge to have as a part of my family and heritage.

Here's the thing...

I'm saddened by the loss because she has been a regular part of my world for so many years, and I won't have any more opportunities to have her presence here.

I'm thankful for the deliverance because her quality of life has been a shadow of its former brilliance these past years.

I'm rejoicing because I am absolutely confident that she is experiencing a quality of life with Christ that she has never known.

At the funeral one of my uncles read Proverbs 31. And though I struggle with words to describe and pay tribute to Grandmom Brown, I can affirm that she was, and is, the Proverbs 31 woman. Read that, and that's her. She was one of the most no-nonsense ladies I've ever known. I'm pretty sure that up until the last few years she could have outworked a decent number of full-grown men I know. She loved her family and she loved her Lord, and she was dedicated to both. She truly exemplified Proverbs 31 in a very real way. And so... I can think of no better tribute to Grandmom than just sharing this with you all...

Proverbs 31, a portrait of my Grandmom Brown.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.