The Wisest Person I know:
Charis is studying the book of Proverbs. It is a practical place to start a yearlong Bible study. The theme is WIsdom; how to listen, find and embrace wisdom. Within the first two chapters we had established that 1. “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (1:7)” and that “if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (2:3-5).” Proverbs is instructional. It provides guidance for the wise as well as the foolish. Those who don’t seek the Lord, who don’t walk a straight path, who lack sense and discretion are deemed fools. On the contrary, those who tire of simplicity, keep the Lord’s commandments and desire understanding are called righteous and upright.
The book dwells on the characteristics of the wise man and the fool. Often the scripture contrasts their inclinations, motivations and behaviors to illustrate the benefits of wisdom and the downfall of folly. Our small group discussion question became, “Who is the wisest person you know?” For a moment we were silent in thought; then the answers came pouring out. Ironically, we all chose women. Mothers won the vote; however, as usual, I had a differing opinion.
Who is the wisest person I know? Took me all of 30 seconds to select the person whose character, teaching and wisdom I cherish. My answer: Juliet Landrum. She has just recently been called to Heaven after a full life serving the Lord, exemplifying Godly character and sharing wisdom.
Since the lesson focus was wisdom and we were discussing our mentor, our example, our role models, I posed the challenge: Why don’t we share the example of these People who touched our lives by writing a blog for others to read? I thought it would be a great way to thank those people, teach others and remind ourselves of the lessons we reaped.
While I did not choose my mom, I would like to say that she is a close second. Lisa Worley is wise, delights in learning, heeds the instructions of the Lord and strives always to be a light for others. Like my mom, Juliet Landrum was a light. She taught school for many, many years and continued to teach Sunday School until she died. Her attitude was always positive, her demeanor poised, and her words uplifting. Anyone who knew her would tell you she was a wise woman of God. While no one is perfect, Mrs. Landrum seems to me, to personify the characteristic of wisdom as detailed in the book of Proverbs. She sought knowledge, loved learning, took pleasure in understanding, cautiously chose words that would bring light and encouragement to others, prayed diligently and showed love continuously.
I met Mrs. Landrum in my grandmother’s Sunday school class at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. I got to know her through many Sunday visits, and summer enrichment projects. Also, her husband, Porter was one of my favorite men. Together they were like a second set of grandparents to me. They were adoring and loving, knowledgeable and insightful, sound in heart and mind. Mrs. Landrum was instrumental in inspiring my love for learning; she freely poured knowledge into others; she shared the gospel in such a profound way that others craved her teaching. Her heart was so full of the Lord that her thoughts and words edified those she came in contact with.
Juliet Landrum is the wisest person I have ever known. I am grateful for all the years I knew her, her example, the nuggets of knowledge she imparted, and her gracious heart that will always define her. Thank you Mrs. Landrum.
After writing this post I searched Juliet Landrum online. Not surprising, this is what I found:
Obituary: Juliet will be remembered as a loving, caring, sweet, compassionate, self-less, brilliant, educated, articulate and supremely hilarious individual. Her quick wit would always bring a smile. If ever a person could be defined as the human definition of being "Christ-like" while on this earth, that person would be Juliet Landrum. There was no funeral…She often said, "I don't want anybody to be SAD because I'm GONE! I want them to be HAPPY because I've been PROMOTED TO HEAVEN!!" Amen!
