You Make A Difference

 My cousin Maria.

When I was nine months old my cousin Rosa Maria Gandy was born. I don’t know why she was given the name Rosa Maria I’ll have to ask my Aunt Rose when I talk to her again. But we all called the little girl, Maria. One of the tales I grew up with was that I bit Maria’s finger and she knocked me down some steps. We became the best of friends. We lived three houses apart on Patsy St., and we both learned to whistle without using our fingers…very loud, ear-piercing really. And we would communicate from one house to the other by sending that whistle out into the neighborhood…we were saying, “Hey. I know you are there.”

When I was about nine years old, my family and I, moved about ten miles from Rocky Creek, but Maria and I stayed connected. We were kindred spirits and we loved each other dearly. In fact later on in life after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and she had married and had a little girl and I had, four sons…I in my house and she in her house…without knowing what the other was seeking the Lord about, we would call each other and discover we had been talking to God about the very same thing…same scriptures, same thoughts, our spirits were one.

My best friend and cousin left this world when she was only 38 years old. I was devastated by the loss and I was extremely angry that she had to leave me at such a young age. As humans we do that we get angry, it’s natural…I loved God with all my heart and so did she. Why God? Why did you take her? I cried and screamed out to God but I only received silence…Maria had been a beautiful person. She was talented in music and her poems was inspiring…she had a beautiful daughter with everything to live for. She served God and was a living example of his grace. The disease took her strength, her youth and her life. And I guess rather than have her live in that condition God in His great mercy, chose to take her home. I do not for one second, believe God gave her the disease, but he allowed her to be tested in this way and I believe she passed her test. Only God knows why. He is God and I trust him but I was angry that it happened.

We all suffer loss at some time or another. It wasn’t long after my outburst with God that I had a dream. Maria came to me in my sleep. She was healthy and vibrant with a big smile on her face. I looked at her and said, “Maria, how can you be here, you’re dead.” She looked at me with great exuberance and said, “Marla, I’m not dead, I’m alive.” Then she vanished. I woke up and the grief I had been experiencing left me. I rarely dream about her or my brother or my Mom so when I do, it is for a reason.

Last night I dreamed about Maria. I walked over to her; she was sitting among some other people who I didn’t know. I started to hug her but she said, don’t touch me I’ve been sick. Then she began to sing this song to me…I don’t remember the words exactly so I’m going to write what I perceived them to be…She was saying…You make a difference.

Yesterday I didn’t have much energy I stayed on the couch most of the day and just let my body rest. So maybe the reason she came to me was to encourage in this way.

You Make a Difference

You may not know it, but eyes are watching, ears are listening and hearts are receiving the love you show to them…

You make a difference while living here; God’s not finished with you yet.

You see your life is not your own, a great price has been paid for you alone…

God in heaven sits upon his throne to attend the cares of men…

It’s only when

You surrender your life to be used of him, that you will understand…

You make a difference when you spend your time in prayer with him, when you bow your head and cry…or lift it to rejoice

You make a difference when you stand before the crowd and speak to them

The words of God penetrate the hearts of seeking men, children and women…

When you think no one is watching and you lend a helping hand…

Not asking for anything in return…but doing what Jesus did…

You make a difference in the lives around you when you give an encouraging word, or a hug, just simply love…because you can…

The wind blows without being asked, the rain waters the earth, the sun and moon shine in their own time…seasons come and go… they do what they’re created to do…

So my friend you make a difference when you choose to do, what you’re created to do…

You make a difference for just being you.

So don’t be weary or want to give up…there’s a better life ahead…

Keep doing the things that you think don’t matter…you’re making a difference keep climbing the ladder…

Keep walking, keep sharing, keep living, keep daring, and when you think that no one sees…

Life gets hard and sickness and disease, takes those you’ve grown to adore…

Heaven is our resting place, and there we’ll be restored…

Angles trod the golden streets…but wonder how we walk these streets…dusty roads and muddy places; they watch us turn our hearts to seek…the one that they adore…

Jesus made a difference He’s Christ the Lord!

If only you could see, what he sees, when he looks at you…
Making a difference in someone’s life that is what you do…
Day after day, month after month, year after year
For as long as you are here,
You will make a difference.

And always remember, Those who have gone before us with Jesus in their hearts…They are not dead, they are Alive!!!

You’ll be remembered, ‘There was one who made a difference!’

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 3, 2018