A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call that a dear friend of mine had passed away quite suddenly of a heart attack. Her name was Pat, but I always called her “PD” (her initials).

We met in church back in the early 70’s. I had just come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and got fully engaged in that small Baptist church. PD had moved to California from a farm in Iowa. (I used to tease her that the highest elevation in Iowa was the pitcher’s mound at the little league park.)

Because PD was also knee deep in everything associated with the church, our paths crossed right away. She taught Sunday School, she helped with vacation bible schools, she cooked for all the socials and was active in the women’s group. She was faithful.

Over the years, PD worked at the same company as an administrative assistant. She served the president with grace and loyalty. As the company evolved and made changes, she continued to quietly serve the staff and clients. She was faithful.

As PD’s parents aged, she was always there to help make their lives more comfortable. Her younger brother struggled with some major health issues but PD never ignored his needs. Her other brother had a growing family and PD was the favorite Aunt. She was always looking for just the right small gift for each of the nieces and nephews. She was a faithful daughter, sister and aunt.

While her husband had walked out on her years before we met, I never heard her say a cross word about him or his character. We were roommates for eleven years. And I can honestly say that we only had one disagreement in all those years (as I was backing up a trailer into a small camp site-my bad). PD was the calm, non-demanding, easygoing servant in our friendship. She was faithful to me.

A few years ago, she retired and moved to Texas. We saw each other whenever I got to Dallas and talked on the phone regularly. She loved the time she had to invest in her extended family. She bought a small home and was having fun fixing it up. And then the Lord took this faithful servant home.

I share all these details with you to illustrate the truths found in Matthew 25. It is the parable of the servants who were given bags of gold to invest. The scripture takes pains to tell us that the task was “according to their ability.” When the master returned and a report was given, two of the servants heard him say with pride, “well done, thou good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.”

PD wasn’t a corporate executive, she did not have children, she lived off a very small income and drove an old car. She is not listed in any “Who’s Who” journal or written about in magazines. Her footprint in our society was very small.

But I am confident that she heard those words, “well done.” I don’t know exactly what she is in charge of right now, but I know she was rewarded for her faithfulness-in friendship, in service, in work and in family matters.

This week I invite you to join me in some personal inventory work. Let’s all check our level of faithfulness. Let’s remember what really matters and try to keep “stuff” in perspective. Faithfulness-it really is the only thing that matters.

“Well done, PD.”