I’m not referring to gifts that Gladys gave to others (though many were delighted to receive her paintings and crafts). God sent Gladys Boleware as a unique gift to her family, friends, church and community. Gladys was indeed a gift; a woman wrapped in a smile and trimmed with faith, hope and love.
She had a steadfast faith in her Lord; blessed hope of eternal life and love for all. It took over 80 years to reveal the many facets of Gladys’ life.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NASB).”
Gladys loved. She loved lavishly. Gladys loved the little children, and they loved her.
“Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 13:13-14 NASB).”
Gladys directed countless children down the path to the kingdom. Her works will follow her… “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them (Revelation 14:13 NASB).”