Holidays

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Times Gone By
By Missey Butler

Every New Year’s Eve, one of the most common English-speaking songs people sing is a song called “Auld Lang Syne.” Isn’t it funny how it’s possible to sing a song all your life and have no idea what it means?

It turns out that “auld lang syne” is an old traditional song that was first written in the 1700’s by a Scotsman named Robert Byrns.

The words “auld lang syne” means “times gone by.” So when we sing this song, we are saying, “Well drink a cup of kindness yet for the times gone by.” The other day I was thinking about this well known song, and I couldn’t help but begin to do a little reminiscing myself.

I began to think about how in our entire lifetime, there are usually only a handful of people who truly make an indelible imprint on the pages of our life.

One of those people for me was a lady by the name of Shirley. She was one of those rare souls whose life was characterized by a giving nature and many selfless acts of love. When I spoke with her, she made me feel as if I were the most important person in the world. Whatever happened to be on my heart at the time was of utmost importance to her. She always had time to listen.

She was so loved within the community. In fact, it was well known among her family and friends that whenever her kitchen light was burning, all who needed a friendly ear or an impartial voice were more than welcome to come in and join her. It mattered not what time of day or night it was, she always had a fresh pot of coffee brewing and an attentive ear waiting as you sat down with her at the kitchen table.

Many of my girlfriends from high school would go and visit with her. They knew she had lots of wisdom and sage advice to give them about how to handle that difficult species called boys!

Shirley was truly a “light on a hill” for many people (Matthew 5:14). Whenever I would read that passage from the Bible, I couldn’t help but think about that very special lady who imparted so much to so many. I often think about her, busy in her kitchen that was always filled with the most wonderful aromas, as the mixing bowl was always spinning with a delightful hum. She had cakes and cookies lined up on the counter top waiting to be iced and decorated as love offerings to family and friends.

I miss seeing her kitchen light burning there in the window. You see, that special lady was my mom. She went on to be with the Lord many years ago. Even at her funeral, the light of her presence was there as different ones stood up and spoke about how powerfully she had impacted their lives by the example of her self-less love.

She was quite a gift from God as my dad and we kids (three sons and two daughters) know only too well. Yes, Shirley, left us with a beautiful example of what the Christ-life looks like. She left us with the legacy of her “kitchen light,” that always glowed with the invitation to come and rest awhile as she encouraged us with a word in season and a smile that spoke of unconditional love.

There are many treasured thoughts that I have of my mom, but none of them can compare to the wonderful memory of that soft glow of light that always burned brightly…lovingly, from the window of my mother’s kitchen.

You are a light to the world. A city on a hill that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)

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