On September 21, 1911, a daughter was born in a small Missouri town,
and her parents named her Beulah, “Favored and blessed of the Lord.”
Would she be favored and blessed of the Lord?
By the time Beulah Cox Moore was six years old she walked hand in hand with her Lord, loved going to church and even helped in the nursery. As she grew older and more skilled, Beulah prepared meals, shared in the harvesting chores, quilted in the quilting bees and drove students to school.
During the Great Depression Beulah married her high school sweetheart and they had two daughters, Mary and Betty.
After Betty was born, Beulah was diagnosed with a degenerative illness and the doctors gave her little hope of every walking again. Beulah survived the surgery and her doctors relegated her to a wheelchair. With confidence in her Lord and determination in her heart Beulah announced, “God has not given me these two girls and taken away my ability to take care of them.”
Beulah was up and walking within a month.
During World War II Beulah lived in California and wondered what she should do for the war effort. What difference could one woman make?”
With eyes lifted up toward heaven she prayed a simple prayer, “Lord! What do you want me to do?
With the Lord’s leading, Beulah took the train to the Pacific Theater Disembarkation Center. When she arrived there, she looked around for servicemen without families. She walked up to each of them and cheerfully encouraged them with boxes of baked breads and cookies.
No one ever turned her down.
In each box she had prayerfully placed Scripture cards and her address. She told each serviceman, “I’ll pray God covers you with His hand each day, and don’t forget I’ll have room for you if you’re ever here again.”
Beulah prayed for them every day. Only heaven knows what lives were saved just because she covered them with prayer.
She did more than pray though, when the servicemen were on leave they visited her; if they were in the hospital recovering from battle wounds she visited them. Beulah gave them hope and encouragement in the Lord, and her family became their family.
Years passed and Beulah welcomed more grandchildren and great grandchildren into her life. At church she worked in the nursery, showed young mothers the value of loving their family, and without a word she showed all who knew her how to live with purpose.
But time takes its toll. Beulah’s body grew old, her eyesight dimmed and the day came when she could no longer take care of herself. When she turned 95 Beulah moved into an assisted living facility.
She was restless, couldn’t drive and felt useless. Beulah had never felt useless. What difference could one woman make?”
With eyes lifted up toward heaven she prayed a simple prayer, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
Her discouragement faded and peace filled her heart. With confidence and assurance she told her granddaughter, “God has no retirement plan, child. He’s just relocated me to where my new assignment was.”
Beulah looked around her and got to work. Every day she and her one hundred year old roommate traveled the halls reading Scripture, praying and singing old hymns. Rarely did a day go by that someone didn’t seek her counsel.
One day a woman approached Beulah about her teenage daughter’s rebellion. Beulah said, “Bring the child in for a chat.” The mother brought her daughter for that chat. Beulah listened – the teenager talked. In a matter of time and a few more visits later Beulah shared with her family, “We have a new sister in Christ.”
Beulah left that assisted living facility when she was welcomed into heaven after 103 years and 10 days on this earth. There’s no doubt she heard these words from her Savior, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”
Her loss grieved many hearts, but she left a legacy. Those who knew and loved her well will always remember her words of encouragement, “Oh, to be used of Jesus. There just isn’t anything to compare to it in this life. I’m just so happy the Spirit moved and I got to see it.”
Yes, Beulah was favored and blessed of the Lord; she taught us a lesson for a lifetime: One woman will make a difference – a difference for eternity – when she trusts in her Lord her God.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
The next time you’re not sure what to do, I suggest you take Beulah’s lead. With eyes lifted up toward heaven pray this simple prayer, “Lord! What do you want me to do?”
Source:
An article written by her granddaughter, Christine Howard, in History’s Women, The Unsung Heroines. http://www.historyswomen.com and her obituary in the Santa Paula Times
Chris Malkemes
Latest posts by Chris Malkemes (see all)
- God is Faithful and We Belong to Him - April 11, 2017
- Oh What a Great Love - December 13, 2016
- To Journal or Not to Journal? - June 14, 2016
Christine, I love this. I love Beulah. Let the words forever be on my lips, “Lord, What do you want me to do.”
I love taking the ancient paths. To see how God works in sisters from the past we learn something new from Him. What He did then He can do today. The God – yesterday, today and forever – gives us purpose each and every day even until we close our eyes to meet Him face-to-face.
So encouraging Christine. God uses us where he puts us. No retirement. What an example Beulah is to tge generations nowand to come
I know. When I learned about her I knew she was God’s answer to showing up that He’s never finished with us. What He asks us to do today will prepare us for our tomorrows! Each one touching hearts for the Lord. I can only imagine how many soldiers lost their lives in WWII and made it to our Lord just because she playfully selected a word for each of them before they deployed.
What an inspiring story from inspiring YOU, Christine. May we each have those words on our lips and iin our hearts as we move along in our lives. I had an aunt whose body was overtaken with ovarian cancer and she was placed in an assisted living facility. I’d go to visit her and have to chase her down as much like Beulah, she felt that God had given her the assignment to cheer up the others who were now the “family” in her new home.
He can use us as his treasures until the time He calls us Home!
xo Lynn
Lynn. I wonder how many Buela’s are out there right now spreading His love. It is never too late to let Him use us. I would have loved to have met your aunt. He treasures His treasure and His treasure we are…..no matter how old we are.
If I ever grow up, I want to be just like Beulah. What a beautiful woman with such a powerful story so inspiringly told. Would that we could all ask God what to do, and then do it. thank you for sharing, Chris. And I salute *you* for your service. I worked with America’s military for years and have nothing but respect for every, single one of you! Thank and bless you.
Love
Lynn
Lynn. Thank you for your encouraging words. I may have “retired” from that service, but don’t you just know it in the Lord’s Army (did you ever sing that song in Sunday School?) there’s not end. We just can’t do enough for our Commander-in-Chief.
I am crying tears but not because of sadness but for joy. God never stops needing us or using us for His glory. Beulah is such a beautiful example. These words “God has no retirement plan, child. He’s just relocated me to where my new assignment was.” impacted me greatly today. I just moved my dad into assisted living and can relate on so many levels. Thank you for this gift of words today.
Mary, I’m so glad this could touch that place that needed touching. I know it was hard to move your dad and wonder what’s going to happen now. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to know He never leaves us nor forsakes us and that includes your dad. You are a blessing to everyone you touch. Because of people like you and the wonderful women in the Consilium I do not regret deciding to use my writing skills on the internet. Thank you and God blessing.
Lord, what do you want me to do? I’m going to put that on my mirror. Next time I find myself feeling “less than” I’m going to pray that! Thank you for sharing. Beulah is truly an inspiration!
I liked that about her. She was an inspiration to everyone she met. I think I’ll put that on my mirror too. Thanks for the idea. Have a blessed and inspirational day. Did anyone ever tell you that your smile (the one I see here) light up a room. You are an inspiration too.