'Well done, thou good and faithful servant!'

This fantastic young lady in red is my wonderful 85 years young mother, Battie Jane Stallings Coleman! March 3, 2009, we celebrated her birthday. And of course, with her in this picture are my beautiful daughters, Riley & Kaylea......and of course Bo.....even with his eyes closed, you have to admit he's a cutie!

Mom is an awesome lady! She lives alone, still grows a garden in the back yard, drives, and takes special care of her 92 yr. old best friend! She is my hero and role model! She married my Dad, Charles Coleman, Jr. at the age of 17. They had the best marriage I have ever seen! They were truly in love........even on that awful day that my dad passed away! They were married 57 1/2 yrs. I never heard them fight.......now disagree now and then...yes, but never fight. They went everywhere together, they shared everything. People always commented that you never saw one without the other. They were lovers as well as best friends. They both worked outside the home, but he was man enough to also pull his share of the weight with the housework as well!! If she got home first from work, then she would cook dinner, and he would clean it up, or vice versa. They were quite the pair! They never made alot of money or were famous..........but, they have riches untold! They kept Christ first in their lives...........the whole time! I never asked if we were going to church.......why......because if it was a Sunday or a Wednesday, it went without saying......we were going to church!!! Mom is still faithful to her church. She's the sweetest most humble person I've ever known!

She's had her share of hardships...........more than her share if you ask me! We all have our mountains to climb. But, she always, always lands back on her feet and what a wonderful view she has on the other side of that mountain! She has struggled over the years with a chemical imbalance that causes her, without much warning to go into a severe state of clinical depression. I won't go into all the details, but God has performed many a miracle for that lady! Thank you, Jesus!! She's never given up, never quit. She keeps on living for Christ.

I'm reminded of the story in Matthew chapter 25, where the servants were given the talents, one 5, another 2 and the last one 1. The first two did well and doubled their talents. The lord proclaimed in verses 21 and 23, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

It's not about what you have.........it's what you do with it! There's no stopping place on your christian walk, folks! Don't give up, it's worth every mile, it's worth every trial! Mom is 85 yrs old, her husband has been gone for 9 yrs now this past January. She could've folded her hands and said, 'That's enough. I've done my share." But the joy and blessings she would have missed out on! If you are tired, if you are weary.........then just look at my mom and say if she can keep on keeping on, then so can I! Yes, she just turned 85, but she's still working for her Lord! She reads her Bible and prays daily, she's at church everytime the doors are open.....that counts all revival meetings as well, morning and/or nights! She is still active in her Sunday school class, and is still the treasurer for it. She cooks and delivers the food for the sick and shut ins. She witnesses to everyone she can, and passes out tracts...........and God bless her heart.........she just a couple months ago, was instrumental in a 68 yr. old man who was dying of cancer, to get gloriously saved before he passed away!!!! His family couldn't thank her enough, for now they know that their father is in Heaven today!

So...........shut your mouth.........when you want to say you are too tired, or too old, or too weary to press on! There is no stopping place, no retirement age for christianity! And if you ask Mom, she'll gladly tell you she doesn't regret a minute of it............it gets sweeter every mile! I know in my heart that God has rewarded her with longevity here on earth, as well as a sound mind and body, because of her faithfulness to Him.

Press on pilgrim, press on! One day let's hear those words from our Heavenly Father ....."WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!"