Virginia Layne Anderson
Notes
Transcript
I will begin by stating the obvious, I did not know Virginia Layne Anderson, but I know she was highly thought of. I know she was highly thought of by her family. Linda texted me early this week and told me that Virginia’s obituary was online and I could read about her life. So I did. Twice. The second time I printed the obituary and began to highlight every accomplishment listed. Here is what I found:
It was not an obituary. It was a list of her accomplishments. It was a resume for a successful life. It was the history of an amazing lady. It was the chronicle of a life of faithfulness. It is a tribute to one of God’s faithful servants who has now heard the words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.
I don’t need to stand here and tell you about her, everyone here today knows what an amazing person she was. Friends, people like her are a rare commodity these days.
I was impressed by her academic accolades, graduating form Ramseur High School and then pursuing a career in nursing where she not only graduated but was head over the ER! She went on to work at two hospitals and then in later years to volunteer as a “pink lady”. I read these things and was impressed, but this is not what impressed me most.
She was a devoted wife, married for 68 years! She was a loving mother, exemplified by her children present today. A grandmother and great-grandmother. Encouraging her children and grandchildren to pursue and education, but this is not what impressed me most about Virginia.
She was a faithful church member, teaching Sunday school, leading children’s choir, serving in the Ladies Missionary Society. She was always present, always serving, but this is not what impressed me most.
The obituary said she was an avid reader, reading nearly 100 books per year! How she found time to do that is beyond me! Here is what impressed me - she read her Bible every day she was able. She loved God and loved His Word. She made a point to spend time with God every single day she was physically able to. Friends, everything else I read about Virginia Anderson pales in comparison to her love for her Savior.
No I never knew her, but I realized when I was reading her obituary, I had read of her before. Not her specifically, but of a woman like her. In fact, she is in the Bible and I’d like to read about her now, from Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; She bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth meat to her household, And a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: Her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, And her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; Her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; And she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Virginia made an impact on those around her just like this wonderful lady we read of in Proverbs. She will be missed, but today while we mourn, she rejoices. I hope, and I pray, that if you here today do not have the same assurance of where you will spend eternity that you will come to me and allow me to show you how you can have the same assurance as Virginia had. Let’s pray.