Misty’s Index Cards
If you made it to Misty’s memorial service, you heard Misty’s mom talk about a habit Misty started as a young teenager. Even as a kid, she was consistent with daily reading of devotional books and the Bible. Somewhere along the line she began to write down verses that stood out to her on index cards. She reviewed the cards committing much of these scriptures to memory before adding another card to the deck. Even as a thirteen year old girl, Misty was learning what it meant to run after God. It wasn’t taught to her…she just did it.
I can’t tell you how much I have learned from Misty. She was hands-down the single most discerning person I have ever known. She would tell me her gut feeling on a person or an idea and she was just about never wrong (I have lots of stories about what she has taught me, but those are for a later evening blog). Today, I’m starting to post a weekly snapshot from the index cards that Misty wrote. Most of them are scripture (which speaks for itself), but others (like today’s) have additional notes that she left on the back of the card. My hope is that these posts (as well as others on this site) continue to provoke you to thoughts about God and how the heck we really should be living on this planet. Even if you don’t believe in God, Misty’s notes are a reminder to pursue what we desire with all our heart and to find new ways to reach our often lofty goals (in her case, the goal was knowing God). A reminder that you aren’t too young (or too old) to get started and you are never too far down the road to keep holding on.
Week 1 – James 1:25
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. (NIV)
I find this teaching to be core to Christianity, but in recent years, when you look at the larger institution, you will not see this exemplified. We do not regularly look intently into the word. I am so guilty of this. I find blocks of time when I read and study, but my daily study and even prayer life has historically been greatly lacking. I’m getting better…but still have a long way to go. And I’m not talking about reading the Bible for 8 hours a day…I’m just talking about a consistent time that is focused only on study and prayer. I don’t get that…but yes, I’m getting better. Like Misty points out, acting on our belief is just one part, we also need to “constantly review God’s truth”. I often think I know the truth and I usually do act on what I believe, but when I get back to reading the Bible, I find that I may have been just a little off in my thinking and therefore in my acting. If we stay close to the source of truth, our efforts will more likely me aligned.
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Thank you Darren for starting to share Misty’s cards. What a legacy. As we followed your website we learned from Misty (and you) how to trust in the Lord, how to stand firm in what we believe, how to love; the list could go on and on. And even now as she sits in the presence of our Father’s love Misty is still going to teach us. I am in awe – I am 60+ in years and I don’t have anything this beautiful to leave behind for my family. But you know what – for all of us out there who feel the same way I do – its not too late. We have this beautiful young woman who still lives on in our hearts and her very special husband as an example to show us the way by posting these cards. Thanks Darren for not just sharing the scripture, but also Misty’s personal notes that share her heart. This is something very beautiful. Thank you.
On a side note how is Olivia’s rash?
I want to thank you, too, for posting Misty’s Scripture cards! What a beautiful legacy she left behind for her family of obedience — both her cards and her belief that God’s Truth frees…
Wow Darren. That deeply touched me. Thank you for sharing her writing, her thoughts with us. And thank you for always being consistent to seek Truth.
Blessings to you and Olivia!
It would be so cool if you could get these copied somehow into a book so they would be avail for us to purchase. I would love to have this!
Darren, The Steps of a righteous man are ordered by God… So no matter what comes our way we know God is Ordering our steps, therefore we can be confident in our actions.. If we do not hide HIs word in our hearts so as to kNow what God is ordering we will stumble! Now how often has that happened. We always want to take short cuts, and it is interesting that God does not just want us walking around doing what we think is the right thing, but He wants us to know Him, He transforms us by His word, AHH, I know myself that I do the same as you,, I get all involved with one topic or another that I want to know about(of course mostly with His leading) but the daily day to day , here I might add is where we need the most help, I fall short like you ad many. I must say you are a blessed man for the priviledge of having such an amazing and dear woman in your life. She will live on you know in everyones heart and we are gleaning her wisdom right here. I will pray for all of us to be more obedient to the reading and meditating on His word.the Word of Truth. Thanks for sharing this pearl… Dawn
Thank you for sharing! What a wonderful verse to ponder on this monday morning.
On a very different note, you had given some camera recomendations before. Is there an in-between camera you recomend? We currently are using a Nikon Coolpix….Any suggestions are appreciated :)
Thanks for sharing that Darren. What a great person she obviously was from a young age…
What a beautiful testimony to Misty’s relationship with our Lord and His Word. Thank you so much for sharing these. Isn’t it fantastic how (spiritually) rich God can make us with a simple pack of index cards?!?!
Thank you. I am inspired by Misty’s life.
Hang on to those for Olivia. She will someday cherish her mother’s writing.
Thanks for sharing. A glimpse into her soul.
This is such a blessing, Darren.
Those of us who are praying for your family, even without knowing you, feel as if we “know” Misty somehow. I am so blessed to have heard from her heart today. Thank you for sharing something so personal. Misty’s insight has already touched my day.
Darren, Thank you for sharing this, I have been looking forward to seeing her index cards and her thoughts on what she studied fro God’s Word. It gives me an opportunity to review my faith and walk with God. Thank you!
A reminder that the little things add up. They really do. Thanks.
A true treasure – for all of us – and especially for sweet Olivia! Misty’s handwriting is pretty : )
seeing mistys handwriting on these index cards makes me really remember her… she was so distinct
Thank you so much for sharing this. My father — who passed away a year ago in Nov. from skin cancer that became invasive and got into his brain and nerves — did the same thing with note cards. I love going back and reading his insight on different passages and what verses were laid on his heart. When the time is right, please post more. Thank you for this beautiful blog and for being real. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers.