...this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness
and charity which she continually did. Acts 9:36b
When Peter came to Lydda disciples from Joppa heard he was there and asked him to come to them. They had lost a beloved saint whom they called Dorcas. She was described as “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.” (Acts 9:36b) When Peter arrived in Joppa the widows of that town gathered around him and showed him all the beautiful garments Dorcas had made for them. (Acts 9:39) Dorcas had cared for the “least of these.” She had ministered to Jesus through these needy widows as He had described to His disciples.
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)
The church I attend, a community of believers, lost a Dorcas today. More than that, the community of State College lost a Dorcas. She ministered in the recesses of life, extending grace to those other people overlooked…”the least of these.” Jesus never saw such people - the homeless, imprisoned and impoverished - as least. And neither did Beckie. She saw them through the eyes of Jesus, intrinsically valuable because Jesus saw them that way. Those who knew her would tell you that she gave of herself tirelessly, volunteering full time, giving away what little she had so others might have something. She showed the homeless and those in prison what the love of Jesus looks like in practice. I feel heavily the loss that is seeping from the community of believers who knew of Beckie’s tireless gifts of time for the marginalized. She cared for those so many of us haven’t even made the effort to see.
When I heard that Beckie had passed into the heavenly realm of Jesus her King, I mourned my own loss. Beckie always had kind words and words of encouragement and hope...for me… and for everyone! You couldn’t help but smile when you saw her. She shimmered joy, radiating love and acceptance wherever she went. I will miss those brief interactions. I know I’m not alone! In the two hours since her death was shared on Facebook forty-seven people have left comments about Beckie’s life. Here are just a few.
“I cannot think of a kinder or more generous person than Beckie Romig.”
“Beckie was just a wonderful and loving person.”
“May her beautiful soul rest in peace! She touched many lives in many different places. It was an honor to know her.”
“Beckie was a gift to me and many...both those close to home and around the world. I am thankful for knowing her and seeing her pour out her heart and care in so many ways...truly representing Jesus.”
“She was God’s gift to so many. She served Jesus well and is now rejoicing in His presence.”
My pastor’s wife, Lynn, perhaps had the most comprehensive comment.
A whole community shares your grief over the loss of Beckie...her heart of compassion for everyone she met was a beautiful thing to watch. She loved tirelessly. I know she delighted in her family and her grand kids gave her SO much joy! Praying for God's peace that passes understanding to hold you up. We will grieve, but I'm so thankful that we don't grieve without hope...and I know Beckie would want everyone of us to grasp onto the hope of Jesus, and to love those around us as Beckie loved each one that God put in her path. (emphasis mine)
Beckie’s hope was not found in things temporal, physical or material. Her motivation wasn’t rooted in things that are seen or touched. She loved Jesus fiercely. Though her body was often wracked with pain, she rarely complained, preferring to defer to Jesus. She dances with Him now, I’m sure. She loved well because she had received the love of God well and understood that it wasn’t a thing to be hoarded, but rather, something to share and give away.
Beckie has joined the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) She has been for me and will continue to be a hero of the faith. She is glorified even now in the presence of Christ. (Romans 8:30) But it’s not about her and it’s not about the glory in which she revels now. I know she’d say it’s about Jesus! She would encourage us to put aside ourselves and love fiercely… Love Jesus! Love others indiscriminately!
Thank you Papa God for the time that you gave Beckie to this world. Thank You that You wrote her name in Your Book of Life. Thank You that You put Your love in her heart and that she loved so well. I imagine that You are rejoicing over having her home. Help us to grieve well and help us to love well, as she did.
