Roxie I am sitting at my desk today with a heavy heart. I have lost a good friend, somewhat unexpectedly, and I am feeling a bit lost. I was supposed to write a post about our Southern Mercantile Wedding Design Service, but somehow that seems so unimportant right now. I am finding myself trudging through the day, struggling to keep a smile on my face for all my team mates at work and for the guests that enter our doors. The only thing I feel like writing about today is my good friend Janis Roberts. Many of you that keep up with the blog are from my hometown of Ocilla and are very familiar with Janis. For those of you that have not had the pleasure of getting to know her, let me just take a minute to tell you how amazing she was!
I have known of Janis my entire life. Some places have a town troubadour but in Ocilla, we have a town clown! (Yes, a real, live, been-to-school-for-it clown.) Clancey the Clown, that is, the Mayor of Smileville in the state of O’silly that left a trail of donut seeds and laughter wherever she went.
I have known of Janis my entire life. Some places have a town troubadour but in Ocilla, we have a town clown! (Yes, a real, live, been-to-school-for-it clown.) Clancey the Clown, that is, the Mayor of Smileville in the state of O’silly that left a trail of donut seeds and laughter wherever she went.
I didn’t really get to know Janis until I moved home from college to run The Shoppes at Fourth and Cherry, our business in downtown Ocilla. Janis rented a booth space here when we first opened our doors in August of 2003 until this past February of 2016. It is safe to say that we got to know each other very well over the course of the last 12 years! Janis had a larger-than-life personality that would almost knock you down when she came through the doors. Though she struggled over the past few years with illness and trying times, she loved coming and tinkering around in her little booth and getting to visit with everyone at The Shoppes. When she entered the doors she would shout “helllooo everybody” and never left without saying “down the road, bump a nose” never good-bye: good-bye was a big no-no. Any time “Midnight Train to Georgia” would start playing on The Shoppes ipod, Janis would start singing it at the top of her lungs, whether we had two customers in the store or twenty!
Janis was a wonderful friend and counselor to me over the years through my own trying times. Even when she was feeling low she was a beacon of encouragement to others. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and her faith in Him never wavered. Through the ups and downs of my life she always loved me and encouraged me. I have numerous little newspaper clippings she cut out and sent to me and so many special little mementos and gifts that she has given me over the years. Every note she ever wrote, whether it be in a card or on a gift tag, was so thoughtful and meaningful. Always with lots of exclamation points and a smiley face. She was a true, true blessing to all that knew her. I have never known a person quite like Janis, and I doubt I ever will again! She was truly one-of-a-kind.
Janis’ funeral was held a week ago Friday. Though it was a sad day, it was amazing to be surrounded by so many that love Janis and that were loved by her. There was plenty of laughter to go around as we gathered to celebrate Janis’ life and to rejoice that she is now with her savior, Jesus Christ! Even in death, I have felt such comfort and encouragement from Janis. You see, I have been having a bit of a dark time myself. I go through spells of difficulty in this small town when I spend way too much time focusing on the negative aspects of my life and imagining how much better life would be if I lived somewhere else. I often think of how successful my business could be if I lived in a bigger city, or that my creative talents would be more appreciated, that I could make more money and that life would not be such a struggle. So on and so forth, down the negative spiral.
Last Friday I was reminded of how blessed I truly am to live in a place where I am loved and supported by so many. I reflected on my last 12 years in Ocilla and all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to build relationships with, all the sweet people that have ministered to me in my times of struggle and all the folks that I have been able to minister to through my business. I know I have mentioned before that my husband and I consider Ocilla our mission field. We are on a mission to help better our community, to love and support those who need us and to spread the love of Christ through the streets of this little town.
Last Friday I was reminded of how blessed I truly am to live in a place where I am loved and supported by so many. I reflected on my last 12 years in Ocilla and all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to build relationships with, all the sweet people that have ministered to me in my times of struggle and all the folks that I have been able to minister to through my business. I know I have mentioned before that my husband and I consider Ocilla our mission field. We are on a mission to help better our community, to love and support those who need us and to spread the love of Christ through the streets of this little town.
I will be the first to admit to you that there are times in my life that I fail miserably at this. When I let the negative thoughts creep in and take over, I am letting Satan win the day. I subscribe to a daily devotional from one of my favorite, Godly women, Christine Caine. I wanted to share with you the message I received yesterday:
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:10)
“Difficulty is hard. It's the bully that steps into your path and tries to arm wrestle you to the ground until you cry uncle. And no matter what you're trying to do, especially if it's worthwhile, difficulty will try to outshout both God and your own thoughts to confuse you. It tries to look so large that you can only see what's right in front of you – the problems, the obstacles and the walls. But we can't let difficulty keep us from daring to go where God wants us to go. God will make a way, and He wants to show it to you today. Seek Him!”
It is shameful that it took the death of a very good friend to shake me out of my funk! It is time to move on and continue embracing this small town that I do love so much. One of Janis’ best friends, whom I am also blessed to call friend, stopped during the eulogy she was giving to say through tears, “aren’t we all so lucky to live here and to have each other?” Yes we are! Janis loved this town with every bone in her body (especially her funny bone)! If you are not from Ocilla, and you are wondering why I chose to share all this on the blog today, then let me just tell you. This is a representation of small town southern living at its best. These are the times that we band together, in times of grief and struggle to comfort each other and help each other. Not only will the church ladies drown you in casseroles and hams when you have lost a loved one, but you will be prayed for in times of illness or hardship. You will be offered a ride if you are walking somewhere, folks will ask you how you are doing and usually they mean it. If you need your grass mowed or something heavy moved, there is always someone you can call on to help you.
As our community grieves the loss of Janis, it seems an almost impossible feat to “delight in weakness” but let’s remember that when we are weak, we are strong! I love you Janis Roberts, every bone in your body, especially your funny bone! Thank you for loving me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:10)
“Difficulty is hard. It's the bully that steps into your path and tries to arm wrestle you to the ground until you cry uncle. And no matter what you're trying to do, especially if it's worthwhile, difficulty will try to outshout both God and your own thoughts to confuse you. It tries to look so large that you can only see what's right in front of you – the problems, the obstacles and the walls. But we can't let difficulty keep us from daring to go where God wants us to go. God will make a way, and He wants to show it to you today. Seek Him!”
It is shameful that it took the death of a very good friend to shake me out of my funk! It is time to move on and continue embracing this small town that I do love so much. One of Janis’ best friends, whom I am also blessed to call friend, stopped during the eulogy she was giving to say through tears, “aren’t we all so lucky to live here and to have each other?” Yes we are! Janis loved this town with every bone in her body (especially her funny bone)! If you are not from Ocilla, and you are wondering why I chose to share all this on the blog today, then let me just tell you. This is a representation of small town southern living at its best. These are the times that we band together, in times of grief and struggle to comfort each other and help each other. Not only will the church ladies drown you in casseroles and hams when you have lost a loved one, but you will be prayed for in times of illness or hardship. You will be offered a ride if you are walking somewhere, folks will ask you how you are doing and usually they mean it. If you need your grass mowed or something heavy moved, there is always someone you can call on to help you.
As our community grieves the loss of Janis, it seems an almost impossible feat to “delight in weakness” but let’s remember that when we are weak, we are strong! I love you Janis Roberts, every bone in your body, especially your funny bone! Thank you for loving me.
This portrait was painted in honor of Janis by a local artist, Della Farmer. Della has chosen to share this treasure with everyone, she will even send you a high resolution image to print. To learn more about Della and her artwork, click HERE.
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