This is a tribute to yet another of our St. Andrew’s members who took up residence in Heaven a week ago today.

Barbara was a quiet, unassuming lady in her early seventies who loved to praise the Lord and ride her bike. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall would see her pedaling away whether to Church, Bible study, supermarket, or wherever a need would take her.

Barbara loved her Lord with all her heart and would never let an opportunity go by without striking up a conversation about Him with someone, stranger or not. She was not eloquent by any means but humbly shared the Gospel with whoever would take time to lend her an ear…and many did. And she knew her stuff. Her Bible was a well-worn Gideon of years gone by and I’m sure she knew most of it by heart.

What we’ll miss mostly about Barbara is her fervent, “Praise The Lord” whenever our choir closed the final chords of a Sunday anthem. Some were not in favor of her outbursts but most of us considered where they came from…a heart filled with passion for her Jesus. I for one was happy that our anthems could move her to render outspoken praise. But perhaps she was moved even more by Psalm 134:2 – Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. 

Whether or not Barbara is pedaling away on Heaven’s gold-paved streets or resting in the arms of her dearly departed husband, George, I just want to say, “Barbara, continue to Praise the Lord and ride your bike.” And have a happy Saturday.