Marietta Uptagrafft Faulkenberry

Her Inscriptions

Marietta Faulkenberry had many talents. One of those talents was her ability to write with
beautiful calligraphy. It was a talent that she downplayed, but some of her loved ones were able to
persuade her to use her talent to pen some poems and verses that have been framed and put on display
in their homes. These pieces of art are treasured, not just because of the beautiful calligraphy,
but because of the beloved calligrapher.

Those who knew Ms. Marietta all agree that the greatest works of art that she produced are not the
products of her calligraphy pen but the ways that she impacted others through her life. The things
that will be most treasured from Ms. Marietta are the lessons that she wrote upon the hearts of
those who knew her and loved her. One of her greatest inscriptions was her unconditional love for
others. When asked to reflect on Ms. Marietta's life, Peggy Holt responded: "She was truly an angel
on earth. When I think of her, I think of unconditional love. No matter what, she loved you! Just
like Jesus."

It's true. When you succeeded, Ms. Marietta rejoiced with you. When you messed up, she still loved
you. She didn't condone wrong behavior, but she did not withdraw her love from those who made
mistakes. Her love was constant and unconditional. It was the kind of love that would make a
person want to do better, just because she loved you.

So when I think of Marietta Faulkenberry's unconditional love, I think of 1 Corinthians 13:7-8:
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never
fails." Ms. Marietta embodied that kind of love. Her love exemplified the love that God has for
you and me.

God loves each of us unconditionally. When we rebel against Him, He still loves us. If we stray
from Him like a prodigal, He still loves us and longs for us to return (see the Parable of the
Prodigal Son in Luke 15).

Here is the greatest expression of God's love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and
only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us" (Romans 5:8).

Even though we have sinned and rebelled against Him, God loves us so much that He gave His Son to
die on the cross to redeem us from sin (Ephesians 1:7).

God loves us unconditionally, but the salvation that He lovingly offers to us is not without
conditions. We can't earn His love or His salvation, but we must accept it on His terms.

God loves us and He will save us if we will place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn
from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Then, as we continue
to walk in the light of His Word, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us from sin (1 John
1:7-9). And, if we stray from Him as a prodigal child, He will lovingly accept us back when we come
back to Him in humble repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

No matter what, Marietta Faulkenberry loved you. No matter what, God loves you. That kind of love
inscribed on our hearts should prompt us to love God more and desire to follow Him closely.

-- David A. Sargent

P.S. In loving memory of Marietta Uptagrafft Faulkenberry (1929-2019). We will continue to be
blessed by her love, until we meet again.