Two Words

Grace Moseley is 102 years old. She was born and raised in Texas, where at the tender age of 15 she married her 17 year old sweetheart.  Two years later, in the midst of the depression, her family gave them $10 and two tickets to Arizona, where “there was jobs.” They were one-way tickets, and, well, Grace still lives in Phoenix today.

A family, a long and happy marriage, a full life. Today, at 102, Grace is nearing the end of her life. Her husband has passed on, as well as two of her children.  Her mobility, hearing and sight are greatly reduced, and most of her memories have faded into the past. Generally, her life capacity has been shrinking. I suppose this is to be expected, after 102 years. Yet there she is, living, breathing, with a history all her own. Today, she barely speaks at all. But occasionally, when family or a medical assistant is close enough to hear, she utters two words. Apparently they are the only two words she has spoken for some time.

“Thank you.”

I think it says something remarkable about a person whose life capacity is reduced to two words, that those words are “thank you.” They may be the last words Grace says, and likely the first she says when she sees Jesus.

In his conclusion to the Thessalonian church, Paul wrote “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18)

Living with the scalding vitriol of a presidential election, the rioting and unrest in many of our cities, the many who have lost work as a result of Covid, as well as the stress from life’s many challenges, gratitude can easily move to the back seat of our lives, or disappear altogether.

“In everything give thanks.” Hearing about Grace was somewhat of a gut-punch for me. I was reminded that if I do not intentionally cultivate gratitude, focusing on what God has done and continues to do, it evaporates, leaving the residue of cynicism and negativity. Do Paul’s words reflect your heart? Would they be your last clear expression? Perhaps Grace Moseley lives today to challenge us, to remind us to cultivate gratitude, and let it permeate our lives. Give thanks.

Thanks to Judy Martin for some sweet glimpses of her mother.