The Power of Love
By
H. Lena Jones
I first meet Pauline at a gym in New Zealand, in 1999. She is an extraordinarily friendly woman with a warm smile, a hug, and a kind word for everyone. Her bubbly personality lights-up the gym. She has to be around forty-five and happily married, I think privately. Perhaps that is the source of her pleasant demeanor!
Pauline is energetic. She exercises six days a week. She begins her workout with a brisk walk around the block for an hour, before participating in the aerobic class at 9:15. Sometimes she lifts weights, walks on the treadmill, and takes a turn on the rowing machine. I admire her enthusiasm and the unconditional love she has for everyone regardless of color, age, gender, or creed. What makes this woman tick? I wonder.
As I become more acquainted with Pauline, I discover that she is a victim of breast cancer, and would have died had she not listened to her specialist and had a double mastectomy. I also learn that she has a deep abiding love for God, whom she claims is responsible for her healing and joyous state of mind.
“Had God not been in my life, Leenie,” she says with an engaging smile, “I probably would have been dead by now or miserable because I don’t have real breasts. Don’t underestimate the power of God's love when you put your trust in Him.”
“You mean because He got you through cancer?” I ask.
“I think God keeps me here for my grandchildren. I love love them dearly. I would do anything for them, Leenie. I buy them food and underwear whenever I have extra money. Sometimes God leads me to stores where there is a big clearance sale. I tell my grandchildren about God. They love Him, too. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Under normal circumstances, revealing one’s past is often painful. But Pauline is able to recall those memories, not with malice or vengeance, but with a peaceful calm. How does she do it? I think with deep admiration.
“It’s thanks to God that I can cope,” she says, as if reading my mind. “He has proved over and over how great His love is for me, and I must return that love. That’s why I love all these people here at the gym; even people I meet while shopping. They come to me with problems, and I pray for them. I’ve been divorced many years now, and I’ll never get involved with any man romantically, unless it’s someone God sends.”
There is no denying what Pauline has said, for I have watched her and the reactions of others when they see her. Pauline’s vibrancy and laughter bring cheer to everyone she touches. It’s normal to hear her burst into prayer if someone comes to her in a state of distress, and it’s normal to hear her expound, to Christians and non-Christians, the benefits of believing and trusting in the God who has done so much for her.
Pauline tells me she is fifty-eight. She is incredibly fit! She has artificially colored blonde hair and beautiful wrinkle-free skin. “I ask God to iron out the wrinkles,” she chuckles.
Pauline has been on Sickness Benefit since her cancer. To supplement her meager income, she cleans houses - after her workout at the gym. She shops at the Op shop (the Salvation Army would be our equivalent), and finds remarkable gifts for her friends and their children at the $2 shop. Women from the gym often bring her their used, but undamaged, clothing; these Pauline treasures. She thanks God for impressing her needs upon the hearts of those who donated the items. In return, Pauline bakes them cakes when she can afford to buy flour, sugar, and eggs.
I’ve never seen Pauline sad or depressed.
I once brought Pauline a bag of rolled oats, a box of yogurt-coated, cereal bars, and a jar of peanut butter. Jokingly I said, “These are to reward you for being a good friend and a great grandmother.” I handed her the grocery bag.
With a smile, and eyes as wide as saucers, she peered inside. “Oh,” she said, with a gleam in her eyes, “how did you know my grandchildren like these? You’re a darling. Did the Holy Spirit impress this on your heart? You don’t know how thankful I am, Leenie. These are going to be a great help.”
With a hug and a “Thanks, God Bless!” from Pauline, I watched as she lovingly placed the precious items into her locker. What a gracious woman, I think, to react with such genuine appreciation over so small a gift. Is it limitless love that drives this woman?
The Bible says love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy, love does not boast. Love rejoices with those who rejoice. Love mourns with those who mourn. True love is limitless and is given freely. Indeed, Pauline exemplifies these qualities.
Never underestimate the power of love!
PS Pauline will be 65 in November this year, and hasn’t lost any of her charm and beauty. She still worksout at the gym, but she has reduced her cleaning jobs to two. Although I have returned to live in Canada, we still keep in touch. Leenie is her favorite nick-name for me. She continues to offer prayers and comfort to those she meets, and for anyone whose name is mentioned to her.
PPS Pauline met a middle-aged man when she went to fill her jug with fresh spring water at a well in Petone. During their brief conversation, Pauline found out that the man had cancer. She invited the stranger to sit in her car, where she told him about her own cancer and how God helped her. She shared her limited knowledge of God with the man, and prayed for him. They went their separate ways, promising to keep in touch. They did…a few times. Then, one evening, Pauline tried to phone him, but he did not answer his cell phone. A couple months later, when she tried the phone again, his daughter answered. Pauline introduced herself. The daughter was elated to hear from her. She told Pauline her father always spoke about her kindness. Sadly though, he passed away a few months ago. She thanked Pauline for praying with her dad.
PPPS Pauline's kindness is genuine. One very windy day, she was driving along, when she saw an old man hanging on to a bus stop sign-post. As she past the struggling man, she heard God tell her to go back and offer him a lift. Pauline stopped, reversed the car, slipped into park, and jumped out of the car. "I'm a Christian," she said to the man. "God told me to give you a lift." The man looked at her and said, "The car..." To which Pauline said, "Yes, my car...God told me to give you a lift." The man was still mumbling something about her car, and when Pauline looked, to her horror, it was rolling downhill. She had forgotten to engage the hand-brake! Pauline laughingly said to me, "God was good. He let the front tires roll into the curb." Personally, I think Pauline is an angel!
I pray that God will continue to bless you, my dear friend, Pauline, and all those you inspire! You will always have a special place in my heart!
[For anyone reading this, I hope you will be inspired and encouraged to forge ahead, and not let that imposter, adversity, hamper you.]
