One of Billy Joel’s hits was “Only the good die young”. I am not certain about the “only” – I do know that the good do die young.
Nancy Knowles was about ten months shy of her 70th birthday when she died on Thursday. Chronologically, that’s young. If you check her “feels like” age, similar to the wind chills or summertime “feels like” temperatures that are reported, she was probably a teenager.
I don’t know how she felt. She wasn’t a complainer, she was a doer. And she did things that would wear me out. Bettie and I were guests in her home more times than we can count, and Nancy was gracious and a perfect hostess every time. She would have meals prepared before we staggered out of bed, reminding me very much of Proverbs 31:15, describing an excellent wife:
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household
And she was an excellent wife. Jim loved (and loves) her very much. They were comfortable together.
Comfortable didn’t mean inactive. Nancy’s granddaughter Caroline has Down Syndrome, and Nancy participated actively in the Buddy Walk every year.
Nancy spent a lot of time with Caroline through the years
and gave as good as she got
Rumors that Strawberry Shortcake were Nancy’s favorite character may (or may not) turn out to be true.
Family was important to Nancy. She lived next door to her sister Mary
and just down the road from her daughter Angie
That’s not all that was important to Nancy. Her faith – not just faith in a nebulous something, but faith in the saving power of Jesus’ sacrifice – carried her through many situations. Jim is a minister, and they both spent time in the Word.
And what of all this? What does it all mean? What makes her life and death significant? I’ll tell you.
At the end of her life, one day before she died, Nancy and Jim were supposed to start on a trip to New England. They had plans and reservations, recommendations on where to go and what to eat. They were probably packed, and were ready to fly.
James 4:14-15 says
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
Nancy had plans, and she followed God’s will. God chose to take her on a different trip. Because it is His will, and because she lived in the center of it, there is rejoicing in the midst of the sorrow. There is gladness in grief.
13 comments
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July 29, 2012 at 1:26 am
angie
Steve….thank you. Much love.
July 29, 2012 at 3:30 am
cheryl marquardt
A lovely tribute to a lovely lady.
July 29, 2012 at 8:03 am
Dawn Hock
What a beautiful tribute to her. She must have been an amazing lady! We rejoice with you that another of Gods saints is Home.
July 29, 2012 at 8:18 am
Donna Cooper
Nancy was filled with grace. She just lived that way. She knew the Grace of God, and she always showed grace to others. What a special and sweet woman your mother is. We are praying for your family.
July 29, 2012 at 8:29 am
Betsy
Steve, you wrote an amazing tribute to an amazing, beautiful lady! Thank you!
July 29, 2012 at 9:08 am
Carol Linsenbigler
Nancy was definitely a Prov. 31 woman. She was special beyond words. I will always remember her smile!
July 29, 2012 at 11:14 am
bobbie
Steve, you have such an amazing talent for pulling beautiful thoughts all together. Thanks again for another heart touching eulogy.
July 29, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Sylene Scott
My prayers are with you Knowles family. Nancy was an encouragement went to me when we attended Seymour Heights CC while we were at Johnson. I’m sure she touched many lives with her encouragement.
July 29, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Mary Aubrey
Steve, there are no words that express the grief that we feel-yet we rejoice knowing that Nancy lives on in the presence of God! Thank you!!!!
July 29, 2012 at 3:26 pm
One Level Up
Steve, your perception is excellent and your words have touched many hearts. Thanks for sharing them.
July 29, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Lisa
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman!
July 31, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Lori Higgins
Thanks Steve so much for such a great testimony of Mom. She was everything you said and so much more. Gone much too soon, never forgotten and eagerly awaiting the day we will ALL be together again.
May 31, 2021 at 6:50 am
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