Matthew 26:13 (KJV) "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

This lady gave an expensive gift to her Precious Lord and she was criticized for it.  That could have been sold and helped the poor, that could have... But Jesus said,  let's tell what she has done wherever the Gospel message is preached as a memorial to her.

Have you ever been around someone that that loaded you down so heavily that you just had to get away from them?  You know the type:  "there's a black cloud in every silver lining" person, they've got two negatives for every positive.  Reminds me of the little boy in school whose dad taught him to be positive. He came home from school saying, "Dad, I think I flunked my math test today."  “Son,” said the dad, “you've got to think positive.” “OK dad, I'm positive I flunked my math test today."

Ed was a veteran of World War II, he was raised in a less than perfect home (his dad died at a young age), his last few years on this earth were filled with doctor visits, hospital stays, temporary nursing home stints, blindness, wheelchairs and walkers. His daily routine included travel from the bedroom to the living to the kitchen (I suspect that was his favorite part) and back to the living room and then to bed.

And yet he chose a different view of life!

Colossians 3:2 (KJV) "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." 

While stationed in Japan he and his wife were challenge by the mission church they helped start to give their tithe one year in advance. They, along with many others did and a Baptist church was built that is still flourishing today.

Acts 20:35b (KJV) "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." 

Every time my wife and I went to see Ed and his lovely wife to encourage them, he gave us a gift---he (they) encouraged us!

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) "A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."  

Ed's dry wit and humor were medicine to every person he came in contact with, whether at church, home, or in the hospital.  Ed made you laugh!  The story of his first motorcycle/motorcycle wreck/broken leg/Wilma come home and take me to the doctor, is just one of the many lemons he choose to make lemonade out of.

Lord, thanks for "remembering" Edwin Harold Bateman to me. This is Dennis and I'm smiling now!

Originally written May 2011

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