She Hath Done What She Could
When Jesus was in the house of Simon, the Pharisee, a woman entered the home with an alabaster box of ointment and anointed the head of Jesus. While some chastised her for this, Jesus said of her, “Let her alone. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” (Mark 14:3 – 9) With these words in mind, I want to remember my friend, PATTY DILLMAN.
The Dillman family has been tremendous friends of the Davis family for most of my life. Through the years, I’ve been blessed to know four of the five “Dillman boys,” Joe, Carl, Don, and Glen. Their brother Benny, I never met. These four and their families became our close friends. The children of these men and their wives remain my friends. The faithfulness of Joe, Carl, Don, and Glen and their wives is a fine example of righteousness. I had the honor of presiding at Joe’s, Carl’s, and Don’s funerals.
Patty was married to Don, and they had two children, Dan and Diane. These two have followed the righteous example of their parents and are raising their children to know the truth of God’s word. Patty insisted on that strict protocol! Patty was extremely hospitable, and yet her demeanor was that of a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). I never knew her to frown! Even when her husband Don was in the hospital, suffering from severe heart surgery, Patty saw the positive side of the situation and met the challenges with a smile. She did what she could, and that was to put her trust and the care of Don into God’s hands and be thankful!
Patty departed this life last Sunday afternoon, having suffered Alzheimer’s disease for the past year or more. As her loving daughter Diane told me, “It’s hard to lose Mom twice; once with Alzheimer’s and then to the death of the flesh.” But to the family now, I would say, “She hath done what she could. Let her rest from her labors and let her works follow her.” (cf. Revelation 14:13).
I muse on the fact of such lives whose influence continues to teach God’s truth for long after their death. Thank you, Pat, for your example! Thank you for having done what you could!