I woke up this morning to the news of Mrs. Betty Gilsons death. I'm sure most of you reading this knew her. Not only knew her but loved her. How could a person not love Mrs. Gilson?
She was a short lady, always wore pleated polyester skirts and smiled. Oh, did she smile! She was one of those people that oozed the joy of the Lord. You could tell just by lookin at her that she loved Jesus and loved His people.
She especially loved Mr. Gilson. He was a tall man, and she was so short. They were so cute together. Always holding hands, sitting side by side in their car, smiling at each other, praying together. A beautiful testment to a loving marriage.
I didn't know the other Mrs. Gilson, her mother-in-law, but my mom and Mamaw did. They would talk of her wise advice and sweet loving spirit. She was one you could sit with, tell your problems to, and she would give advice. I wish there were more people like that now. There are so many young married girls that need Godly wisdom imparted to them to help them in their marriages and parenting. I don't just wish it, I'm praying for it. I realize that I'm of the age to be one of the older wives. I pray that God puts young women in my life to pour into.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilson had no children of their own. I'm sure she struggled with that fact, but it didn't stop her from loving on everyone else's children. And I was so fortunate to be one of those. She and Mr. Gilson had a training union class that was like Awana. We had to memorize scripture, we had Bible study, sang hymns (back when it was all we knew!), and at the end of each quarter the one that had the most points from memorizing, attendance, and other things got to plan a party. She would make the cake we wanted, buy streamers in whatever color we chose, and we sang our favorite hymns. She sent postcards to us every week. Not just the weeks we were absent. Every week! But most of all we learned truths from the Bible. It wasn't just a storybook, it was the truth. God sent His Son to earth to be our Savior, so that we could receive forgiveness and live eternally in heaven with Him.
I know people say this a lot but today it is so very true, Heaven is a sweeter place today. I just hate that I didn't ever visit her when I went home. Why did it never cross my mind? I don't know, but what I do know is I have shared my memories of her with my children. So much so that when I mentioned her death today, D&D knew who I was talking about and were sad too.
Such a sweet lady that showed people how to believe in a loving, forgiving God. I pray I am that kind of woman.
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