I had to look up the “sum total” to make sure it meant what I thought. It means “the whole amount.” That came to mind while I was struggling to figure out what I was to write about Sister Betty who passed away at the age of 83. I wasn’t sure of her age until I read her obituary. Though I’ve known Sister Betty and her late husband Stanley for 20 years, I only knew them from Church where we were Ushers. Sister Betty was so friendly and talked so fast, it didn’t take much time before you got to know her. That’s why everybody knew Sister Betty. Brother Stanley was friendly too but a lot quieter. I discovered he would jump if you “goosed” his ribs, so we got along just fine. He was a tall man and could have “put me in my place” but he would still accept a hug and my obligatory poke.
Stanley passed away while I was living overseas, and I went out of my way to share my story “Thank GOD I’m Here” about Heaven with Sister Betty on Facebook. She gave me the best hug the next time I saw her. She suffered with severe arthritis in her hands, add on to that losing her beloved husband of 58 years, and you would think she would have given up. Not Sister Betty. Whenever she could make it to Church, she wanted to receive the offering like she and Stanley did. She continued helping even after she used a cane to help her walk.
I wasn’t surprised when they told me Sister Betty had a stroke and was in the hospital. Her tiny little body had been through a lot with the arthritis, strong pain medicine she was taking and the way she missed her Stanley. I’m sure she loved the rest of her family and the many friends she had made over the years, but it’s hard to go on after losing someone you’ve been so close to for that long. We saw it happen to other couples in our Church who had been married for a long time and one passed away first. I know she was comforted by her relationship with JESUS, and He kept her out of despair until it was her time to go.
I know Sister Betty lived a long life, loved the man she married even after he passed away, was always talking about the family she adored, was loved by countless people in our community, and was a faithful worker in Church, but what was “the sum total” of her life?
That Sister Betty is with JESUS right now and will be with Him forever is the most important thing by far. Without that, nothing else matters! Second only to that are the people she brought or pointed to JESUS. She continues to be a witness for JESUS even now as people remember her life, and as people she touched bring others to a saving knowledge of our LORD. Nothing else matters in the life she had because that is “the sum total” or “the whole amount” that has value!
How about your sum total? If you died right now, would you go to celebrate with JESUS in Heaven or would you have to pay for your sin for all eternity. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 KJV). That means you are precious, and He prepared a way for your life to glorify Him and for your death to be “gain” (Phil 1:21 KJV). If you accept His gift your “sum total” will be a great treasure!
Wayne Lance – (2023) – That’s Good News to Share!