For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (one of Alison’s favorites)
One of my recent daily psalm readings took me to Psalm 71, and I was reminded of my dear Friend, Alison Withers. Alison left this earth on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. When I first met Alison almost twenty years ago, I thought she was among the most striking and beautiful women I had ever met. Little did I know I would come to learn that she was as beautiful inside as well. At her recent memorial service, her life was highlighted by her many accomplishments and boundless love for her family. But what I will remember most of all will be the many times she demonstrated her unshakeable faith in the absolute sovereignty of God.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day, I declare Your wondrous works.
Now, also, when I am old and gray-headed,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)
Alison was saved as a young girl and walked with God her entire life. As the psalmist had experienced God’s unwavering faithfulness and teaching, so did Alison. The psalmist declared, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long” (71:8). Alison never missed an opportunity to give God praise and glory no matter the circumstances of her life. She faced debilitating health and emotional challenges throughout the years, and even amid horrific pain, her words were always the same, “I’m good because I know God is with me.” Even when her life was far from wonderful, she never complained, and she never failed to tell of the wondrous works of God. Her heart desired to let God shine through the pain.
I never considered Alison old (she was sixty-nine at the time of her passing) because she was brimming with life and laughter. Her full head of striking silver hair was an attention-getter and only added to her beauty. The psalmist leads us to think that being old and gray-headed could be a disadvantage. But it never was for Alison. I believe people were drawn to Alison to get a closer look at her beautiful hair. It was one of the many features that made her unforgettable. Even in a casual conversation with Alison, you would hear about God at some point. The irony is whether it was her hair or sparkling personality that drew folks to her, she used it as an opportunity to “declare His strength and power.” With her humble spirit, telling “everyone who is to come” about Jesus was second nature for Alison.
God continued to use Alison her entire life to bear witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I saw it firsthand in Israel when she spent much of her free time talking to our Jewish tour guide about Jesus. During the trip, I witnessed a woman with a prosthetic leg experiencing pain and agony but never giving up. She completed every phase of the tour without a complaint. She fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). May we all aspire to do the same. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The picture was taken during our tour of Israel in March 2022.