Aged to Perfection: As Purposed by God

By Marianne Smalling Thurston

Author Marianne Thurston was holding her grandfathers hand as the final breath of air trickled from his lungs. What she experienced was overwhelming, intriguing, and somehow curiously calming.

A whirlwind of emotions, memories, questions and curiosities stormed her thoughts. Time seemed to stop and yet rush ahead. As she tried to decipher the moment, Scripture started surfacing in her mind.

In an effort to ease her pain, she began reading and searching through her Bible. Seated at the keys, recording her findings, she used Aged to Perfection as a source of peace and encouragement.

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If you truly love studying the Word of God and have lost a friend or loved one, you will find comfort in the multitude of verses proclaiming the sovereignty of God. The life of a man, the death of a maneverything that takes place between his birth and his graveis according to the divine purpose of God. Life, even a one hundred-year-old life, is but a vapor. Jehovah God is, was, and forever shall be sovereign.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449734725

Marianne Smalling Thurston

Marianne Thurston spent six years writing children’s sermons before the Lord moved her ministry to a private Christian school. Twelve years later, she continues to research and compile Scripture, satisfying her desire to know the truth. She, her husband of twenty-six years, and their only son reside in Trinidad, Texas.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Epigraph

Forward

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction:

The Experience

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Conclusion

Bibliography

Dedication

To all who helped with the care of Granny & Pappy.

May you be given ears to hear and eyes to see the Word of the Lord.

Epigraph

The Spirit of God is in every human being, although all will not be told.

Otis fisher

Forward

Cherished lunches shared with one another. A cup of coffee and a cool breeze enjoyed on the porch. Many Bible questions stirred and settled in our hearts through study. Personal projects imagined and completed. Children loved. These are but glimpses of the heartfelt friendship and love I have shared with Marianne.

She is without a doubt the answer to my prayer for a true friend in Christ. I always wanted the kind of friend that so many others talked about; a real friend in Christ who would never leave. Before settling in Texas, we had moved nine times in fourteen years. Most, if not all, of my acquaintances had moved on as well.

Marianne is a small, young, package of a lady, packed full of power and energy. There is nothing she cannot do. Her famous last words: I’ll handle it. It is this non-stop vigor that has blessed the lives of her grandparents, parents, family and me.

I first met Marianne, in 1997, at Navarro’s Kids College. Our children were participating in the summer program. Our paths crossed as we both remained on site, to ensure the safety of the kids.

I was seated at a table, working on Vacation Bible School material. A short, small-framed, dark-haired young lady, walked up and smiled. I’m not sure who spoke first, but we enjoyed hours of conversation about our desire to raise our children in a protected, God-centered environment.

Christian education was the only option I considered. I had poured out my time and efforts to make that available for my daughter, as well as any parent who wanted the same for their children. Marianne wanted to send her son to a place that taught the Word of God. What a Mighty God we serve. He brought us together to meet and share our concerns.

A recent transplant to Texas, I was curious about places to visit for a weekend get away. At the end of Kid’s College, we exchanged addresses. Within a few days I received a Texas Travel Guide in the mail from Marianne.

That initial contact was the beginning of a now fourteen year long friendship. I thank God upon every remembrance . . . of my dear friend Marianne.

Sometime later, our families met, and for a season we spent holidays, birthdays, vacations and field trips in each other’s company; not to mention nearly twelve years at the little Christian school where we have worked side by side.

Most of the early years of our friendship involved writing letters, or notes. Marianne always sent ten pieces of correspondence to my one. I was better face to face; she was a gifted listener. There would always be long letters after time spent together.

My dear friend has always felt that she was better on paper than in person. From the very first notes, letters, and studies that came to my mailbox, I knew she had a great talent for writing and communicating her thoughts to others. Oh how I love them! I would often tell her that she should write a book. She would always brush off my words with a smile.

For as long as I have known Marianne, her time at home has been spent both managing and meeting the needs of her aging parents and ailing grandparents. Her love for her family has proven greater and more self sacrificial than any young person I have come in contact with. Her grandparents were blessed with a loving, self-less grand-daughter. She took care of many personal needs that far surpassed the standards of a visiting nurse. Although she is a tiny young lady, her heart is that of a giant.

Should you be given the joy of receiving—the pleasure of reading this little book—you will find it is the gift of God’s love expressed to the fullest. You will walk away changed, blessed and amazed at the Truth of God’s Word; the honesty & love she expressed towards her grandparents.

Capturing in detail the experience of later life care giving for her grandfather, I believe God blessed her with the peace and assurance of his salvation. God allowed Marianne to see answered prayer. He gave her this powerful little book which glorifies Him and will surely encourage others.

Joy in His