Proof and Hope

Beth Ware Rigdon was a cheerleader at Fort Valley High School many moons ago. I have known her for about 35 years. She was one of the girls that all the boys drooled over. She was very good looking and full of life. At the snap of her finger, she could make any boy jump.

You know the kind I’m talking about.

Beth has had more than her share of tragedy in her life. The tragedy she has endured is the kind of stuff that will either break you or make you.

I can tell you she did not break. She’s been knocked down and run over and backed up on a few times, but she always finds a way to get back on her feet again.

Her faith has become stronger and stronger and she is an inspiration to many. She has certainly been an inspiration to me and my wife.

She sent me an email yesterday that is a typical Beth story.

Always praying for someone. Always concerned about the welfare of someone else.

Beth and her husband, Phillip, had a friend whose son was heading to Iraq to the war zone in the Spring of 2005. They tied a yellow ribbon around an oak tree in their yard to remind themselves to pray for their friend’s son as he was in harms way.

The war in Iraq became very personal to Beth and Phillip. The yellow ribbon not only reminded them to pray for their friend but for all the others who were risking their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.

Little did Beth know when she tied that ribbon on the tree that she would lose her own husband before their friend finished his term in Iraq.

After Phillip’s death, Beth eventually moved the yellow ribbon to another tree so she could see it everyday from her kitchen window.

Despite her own devastating loss she continued to pray for other people.

Yesterday Beth had a visitor. Tripp is safely home from Iraq and this 29 year old young man and his 4 year old son, Logan, stopped by for a visit.

Before they left yesterday, Beth got a pair of scissors and let this 4 year old boy cut that old tattered mildewed ribbon off that oak tree.

She had tears in her eyes as she watched this young man and his little boy carry that old ribbon away as proof that God heard and answered prayers on their behalf.

I have a strong feeling there have been many tears as she prayed for this young man looking from her kitchen window. All the while she was dealing with unbelievable heartache and anguish of her own.

God answers those kinds of prayers.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

The cutting down of the ribbon was proof for Tripp and Logan.

And a sign of hope for our friend Beth.

And a great lesson for the rest of us.