If

Job 14:14

If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

"IF"

Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. ~ C. S. Lewis ~

I am thankful for the life of Sis. Reaver Mayfield. She was a dedicated and die-hard member in this Church. Her work speaks for her. Among the many admirable qualities she possessed; I can tell you she was not an Iffy personality.

She was who she was and didn’t care who knew it. She was tender-hearted but knew how to rally to the defense of her family, church, friends, and Pastor. Sister Mayfield was a good christian woman.

I have a very Delicious and sustaining memory of the time she was associated with this church. Mother Mayfield loved the church. This soldier possessed a deep and abiding committment to our Lord. Her love was evidenced by the multiple obstacles she conquered just to get a seat in this house. Yes, she did what many healthy and able bodied members don’t do, she did her best despite debilitating odds.

Lord send me members who will worship when they are sick.

Members who may not be able to walk, but are determined to walk with you.

Members who require someone to hold their hand to stand up and yet are still holding to your unchanging hand.

I need some members who will serve you during good times and bads.

Members who will send their tithes to the Lords house when they can’t get here. The times are too numerous to count wherein somebody would walk up to me and say "Pastor here’s Sister Mayfield’s tithes." Thank God for people who love the church.

So many times she would methodically make her way into God’s house and make her way to her seat.

Now Sister Mayfield had a seat. None of that "If you get there before I do save a seat for me stuff", she had her own seat. She took great pain in getting to the front of the church. In her own time she would get there.

When she did finally reach her destination, she was a preacher’s friend. She didn’t mind saying Amen to the preacher. I hope she willed that to some of you and maybe you can take up where she left off.

She was not messy like many but was on a mission to promote love in the church. Peace is not easy to come by with some people. Her departure will leave a hole in ours hearts for the rest of our time in this life.

Her sickness according to her was never as extensive or as indicative of pain and suffering as one thought. She was not a complainer but assuredly was a comforter. You could never leave her presence without being infected with cheer. This dear lady was a symphony of joy and happiness all by herself. Her music will be missed.

I remember my last visit to her as she Contemplated the wealth of bad news that he had just received. If anyone should have been down in the mouth or had a reason to despair; I suggest she had that right. But instead she reached into herself and found a little more strength.

She was undeterred by the bombardment of pain.

In my opinion she was a modern Job.

Suffering seemed to trigger her faith.

She was like Jacob in that she held on and wouldn’t let go.

She never let go of God. He was her medication of choice.

In closing can I share with you a few IFS?

IF......DAYS ARE LIMITED

Psalm 90:10

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

IF......DELAY IS DANGEROUS

Psalm 95:7

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

While the blood is running warm in your veins.

While you have a chance.

While you are still in the land of the living.

IF......DEEDS ARE WEIGHED

Mark 8:36

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

IF....DRAWING IS NEEDED

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

IF....DEATH IS IMMINENT

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.