Willie May Dickie

Romans 8:14–30 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Adopted Children of God

Willie Mae was a child of God

Her life testifies to the reality that she was a Christian. The things she said did and talked about pointed to that fact.

She loved people and for years taught vbs and children’s Sunday school. She helped in whatever way she could.

As we have heard she was a bit of a character and had a bit of an ornery streak in her. In fact I still remember her looking at me as she was leaving one Sunday not long after I came to Trinity Baptist Church and she said with smirk you know that was a terrible sermon possibly the worst I ever heard. I think you should keep practicing, I’ll check back with you next week see how you’r doing. I was stunned for a second before I noticed that smirk she had and realized she was just ribbing me. But you know I don’t believe for a minute there was any venom in that statement, you see she was just having a little fun and no harm was meant. Indeed she may have paid closer attention than some of you are right now.

Yes I believe we can say with certainty that She was a child of God and therefore vs 17 says she is a fellow heir of heaven with Christ and is now glorified with him.

She’s enjoying her inheritance from the very hand of God himself. She’s in heaven with no pain no suffering no sadness no death and best of all no sin!

Our Current Sufferings are Not worth Comparing to our Future Glory

I know the past few days and the days ahead will be difficult

you will miss her

you will look at her spot at the table and pause

you will wish to hear her laugh and see her smile

You will grieve cry and thats okay. In fact the bible says there is a time for grieving.

Yet we do not grieve for Willie Mae as we would for those lost in their sin. Remember she is a daughter of God.

Those of us who are Christians can rest in this promise that we will see her again in glory.

Our hope rests not in this world not in our money not in politics or even religious ideas and practices but in the resurrection of Christ. It is through his death that our sin debt was paid in his burial that our old selves died and in his resurrection that we find our own.

Therefore always remember when those moments come upon us the empty spot at the table the longing for a laugh a smile and the tears begin to come. This is not the end we do not say goodbye today rather we say see you soon.

God is working all things to our Good.

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

It might seem crass to say that God can use the death of a loved one for our Good. How can losing someone so dear so precious ever be good.

Yet I can tell you from personal experience that when my aunt Sharon passed away it wrecked our world the entire family was devestated she was too young with children who needed her and it was all to soon and sudden. Yet her death became a catalyst for change in the family. We drew together as a family because of it. I personally have drawn strength and encouragement from her life and her giving heart.

You see God takes the broken pieces of our lives and instead of simply putting the pieces back where they were he reshapes them and rebuilds us into a better masterpiece not inspite of the difficulties and struggles of life but because of them.

Do not waste the gift you have been given. If you knew Willie Mae you knew the love of God, take then that love and allow it to change your life. Let it be an example before you of how to live and follow her as she followed Christ. In so doing you will find that God has taken this moment of sorrow and grief and made it a pillar of strenghth in your life.

May God do a mighty work in your life that you might be a blessing to others as Willie Mae was to all of us.