She used to say, "I'm not getting old, I done got there!" Elisabeth Elliot had such a no-nonsense view of everything about life. Her wisdom stemmed from being a lifelong student of the Bible, and from her deep Christian roots growing up in the Howard family.
Elisabeth Elliot died quietly in the early morning hours of June 15, 2015. One of the spiritual giants of our day is now home with the Lord.
I reminisced earlier today about my friendship with Elisabeth Elliot in an interview on Haven Today that will air either this Friday, June 19, or next Monday, June 22 (I will update this blog when the date it is confirmed).
I told my host on Haven Today, Charles Morris, that I am representative of thousands of women who have been touched by the life of Elisabeth Elliot. Her imprint is on something I think or do nearly everyday. Everything she wrote and spoke about always pointed us to the same lesson: trust and obey God. He knows all about whatever you're facing. He's got the whole world in His hands. He's got you and me in His hands.
Her humility and friendship made me feel like I was the only one, and I treasure the 35 letters I have from her, yet I was just one in the multitude that was helped by her teaching in practical ways. That's the love of Christ in her.
It was my complete joy to get the privilege to care for Elisabeth in my home and in hers on a few occasions. What delight I had in helping to care for the woman who taught me so much. She taught me what real ministry is: doing what God wants you to do, when He wants you to do it, the way a Christian should do it. That covers everything from changing dirty diapers to writing a book. It all matters to God, and when offered to him can be transformed into purposeful, meaningful work for Him.
What a reunion it must be in the heavens. She is with her Lord! She will see Jim Elliot again, her mother again, her father, and other loved ones. She will see those that influenced her: Betty Scott Stam and others. She will meet Amy Carmichael. I'm looking forward to seeing her again there when it will be my turn to see my Lord face-to-face for the first time.
Elisabeth, such a treasure you were to me and to so many. May I be one tenth the person you were in helping others to know what the Bible says, to allow it to make a difference in my life and others' lives in a tangible way. Help me Lord, to be the older woman in another woman's life as Elisabeth was for me!
In an Instagram, I wrote:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2 (The verse the Lord gave Elisabeth when Jim Elliot was killed) My daughter Mary and I have been thinking of her, Lars her devoted husband, Valerie, her dear daughter & their faithful caregiver. Elisabeth's home-going was very early this morning in her sleep. Let us continue to pray for them as they "do the next thing" (as Elisabeth used to quote from an old poem), adjusting to Elisabeth's absence here and her presence with the Lord. May we women (& men) be what it is she taught us with her life: people who trust and obey God.
If you are linking up with us today, if you were touched by Elisabeth Elliot's life, we'd love to hear how in your post.
Enjoy this YouTube of my daughter Mary (blind) singing to Psalm 23 to dear Elisabeth.
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What a wonderful lady and such an awesome inspiration. Well done good and faithful servant.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Terri!
DeleteI have been thinking of you since I heard last night of her passing. Of course this made me want to re-read The Path of Lonliness. So grateful for her life...and for your appreciation, love and relationship with her! I always had wanted to try to re-connect with her years ago when I began writing, but instead found your blog and felt I could vicariously live that along with and through you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful message, Dawn! Blessings to you as you remember dear Elisabeth!
DeleteWhat a homecoming that must have been! Her legacy will live on through her books and the lives she has impacted, like yours!
ReplyDeleteI was especially blessed by what you said about her acceptance and her countenance while suffering from dementia. I have long believed that what is truly in the heart is what you will see when one has lost the ability to keep up some "pretense."
Thanks for sharing,
Donna
Amen, Donna! To God be the Glory for her life!
DeleteJuana, I had been thinking of you & Mary since hearing the news. A beautiful post honoring her sweet life. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Joanne. Mary just got to talk to her husband and she is now relieved to know that he is doing well. Love to you!
DeleteWow! This is the first time I've been to your blog - I came for the link up today. I was shocked to hear that she had died. I guess those "heros of the faith" you think will be around forever! How neat that you were able to chat with her! I do have a prayer request that is heavy on our hearts - Hubby & I. It's specific so bear with me - We just bought a house and realized that we need a new well drilled. The previous owners didn't disclose the condition of the well but actually very carefully hid the information. So now we are looking to pay $6,000 for a new well. We have to have to water to live :) It's a big shock & of course, we don't have the money. So we just don't know what to do. We would appreciate your prayers! Thanks so much for hosting! I really enjoyed your post on Elisabeth Elliot!
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle, Let's pray! Heavenly Father, we come to you with what was a surprise to the Wells but not a surprise to you. Guard their hearts against any resentment or bitterness that the enemy would love to entice them with. Help them Lord, to get water, so vital and be able to pay for it. We come to you with our request Lord, In Jesus' name, Amen.
DeleteI thought of you too as I heard of her passing. Know that she was very special to you and you to her. Thank you for sharing your love of her with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jana for thinking of us and for your prayers that Mary will be able to concentrate at music camp next week. We may go to her memorial service next month. Love, Juana
DeleteI am asking for prayer for victory in an area I struggle with and for salvation for my children and grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThank you....shirley
Loving Lord, I lift up Shirley to you., You know everything about her. You know the number of hairs on their head! You know it all, and You know about this area of struggle for this sister. Give her victory as she yields to Your way in this matter, that she may grow spiritually in this area. We also lift up her children and their children to You Father, for their eternal salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DeleteI'm sad to hear of Elizabeth Elliott's passing but happy to know that she is rejoicing with the Lord. Praise Him! God's comfort to you Juana as I know you were close to her.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this wonderful link up. It is always a pleasure to join you here.
Blessings,
Patti
Thank you for your kind words, Patricia! So glad you are part of this little corner of cyberspace for God's glory!
DeleteI love that you write about your memories of here here, and how she touched you for His goodness. Her life has always amazed me, humbled me, inspired me. I want to get out her books and read again because the way He loved her, was how she loved others and chose to honor Him in that. It is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHaving a grandmother who also had dementia, it was hard to watch her deteriorate in the memory process but she has the joy of the LORD and it was such a blessing to see her still LOVING God and not forgetting He was with her. She remembered the most important thing, much like I am sure Elizabeth did.
Blessings,
Dawn
You are so blessed to have met her! She's one of the giants of the faith. Thank you for sharing about her life. patsy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patsy. You can watch her funeral live tomorrow Tuesday, June 23, at 10:30 AM. EST, on her website which is www.ElisabethElliot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patsy. You can watch her funeral on a live stream tomorrow Tuesday, June 23 at 10:30 AM Eastern standard time at www.ElisabethElliot.org.
ReplyDelete