In loving memory of Sr. Roger
How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5-44
- James, the son of Alpheus; Bartholomew; Judas Thaddeus; and Simon Zelotes
The above are the names of the apostle of Jesus whose names are mentioned in the gospels but none of their activity or what they spoke is not recorded in the bible. They could have did many marvelous things for our Lord Jesus and proclaimed the gospel but none of it is recorded in the scriptures. What do we think of them when we read their names.
Their works where never detailed or recorded and I believe they never wanted it either. They didn’t do anything for the honor of men but only for the glory of God alone. Do we seek glory from any man for what we do, may be not outwardly but inward deep down in our hearts, maybe when some does not acknowledge our work do we get offended, is there a little sadness inside our hearts when we are not treated with gratitude for our work, then we need to acknowledge that our self is not crucified in The Cross with Christ. God today is in search of such apostles too and one of them is Sr. Roger
Romans 12-6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us
V 12-7 says if it is serving, then serve
V 12-8 to do it cheerfully.
Sr. Roger had this gift of serving in the background. Those when joined new to AOJ might not quickly get or remember Sr.Roger’s name cause she always stands behind supporting the AOJ activities and soldiers and above all I believe from what I know she never expected any honor from man and not a small sense of gratitude from any one. I praise God for making her such an example and it is important we learn from it.
2. Inspite of all the hardwork physically at this age one might be amazed especially during BFF sessions how Sr.Roger manage to pull all this work? What is the secret of her strength? The answer is in the below verse
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Theselonians 5.18
The word “ALWAYS” emphasizes 24×7 whatever be the situation. When I am in Palavakkam attending troop church, during the testimonies sharing time, every time I see Sr.Roger says I thank God for the air we breathe, the water we get to drink and the food God gives us to eat. The things I take for granted she praises and give thanks to God for that. Giving thanks to God every time for his Grace and blessings gave her the strength till this age to run the race set before her this far. Before IBJ when there was so much of work pending to be done I saw her always telling God has done such mighty things in the past, is this one too hard for The Lord. She expresses such great faith and give thanks to The Lord. Let us give thanks to The Lord at all situations and move the mountains in our Life with great strength from The Lord.
Philipians 4.4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Any one who has met Sr.Roger never forgets her sense of humor. When I speak to her for a few minutes she makes me laugh. It is because she rejoices in The Lord always. Let us praise God for letting his child/soldier run a successful race by His Grace and keeping her an example before us to run the race set before us without expecting any honour from men for what we do and do the work with rejoicing in The Lord and giving thanks to Him always.
Sol.Leo