Marietta Faulkenberry had many talents. One of those
talents was her ability to write with beautiful calligraphy. It was a
talent that she downplayed, but some of her loved ones were able to
persuade her to use her talent to pen some poems and verses that have
been framed and put on display in their homes. These pieces of art are
treasured, not just because of the beautiful calligraphy, but because of
the beloved calligrapher.
Those who knew Ms. Marietta all agree
that the greatest works of art that she produced are not the products of
her calligraphy pen but the ways that she impacted others through her
life. The things that will be most treasured from Ms. Marietta are the
lessons that she wrote upon the hearts of those who knew her and loved
her. One of her greatest inscriptions was her unconditional love for
others. When asked to reflect on Ms. Marietta’s life, Peggy Holt
responded: “She
was truly an angel on earth. When I think of her, I think of
unconditional love. No matter what, she loved you! Just like Jesus.”
It’s true. When you succeeded, Ms. Marietta rejoiced
with you. When you messed up, she still loved you. She didn’t condone
wrong behavior, but she did not withdraw her love from those who made
mistakes. Her love was constant and unconditional. It was the kind of
love that would make a person want to do better, just because she loved
you.
So when I think of Marietta Faulkenberry’s unconditional
love, I think of 1 Corinthians 13:7-8: “Love bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
Ms. Marietta embodied that kind of love. Her love exemplified the love
that God has for you and me.
God loves each of us unconditionally. When we rebel
against Him, He still loves us. If we stray from Him like a prodigal,
He still loves us and longs for us to return (see the Parable of the
Prodigal Son in Luke 15).
Here is the
greatest expression of God’s love: "For God so loved the world that He
gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died
for us” (Romans 5:8).
Even though
we have sinned and rebelled against Him, God loves us so much that He
gave His Son to die on the cross to redeem us from sin (Ephesians 1:7).
God loves us
unconditionally, but the salvation that He lovingly offers to us is not
without conditions. We can’t earn His love or His salvation, but we
must accept it on His terms.
God loves us and He will save us if we will place
our faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our
sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as we continue to walk in
the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us
from sin (1 John 1:7-9). And, if we stray from Him as a prodigal child,
He will lovingly accept us back when we come back to Him in humble
repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
No matter
what, Marietta Faulkenberry loved you. No matter what, God loves you.
That kind of love inscribed on our hearts should prompt us to love God
more and desire to follow Him closely.
-- David A.
Sargent
P.S. In
loving memory of Marietta Uptagrafft Faulkenberry (1929-2019). We will
continue to be blessed by her love, until we meet again.
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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