Every now and then, someone comes along who changes everything. I was in my late twenties when a woman I’d come to know through my aerobics class then a small Sunday school class came up to me and said with a gentle firmness, “God is calling me to support you in ministry.”
It was the first time…
A) that anybody had ever called whatever on earth I was doing “ministry.”
and,
B) that there was even enough to be done for anyone to actually help me do it, for crying out loud.
Though I’d already come to like her so much and was instantly taken aback by her kindness, I could not have begun to grasp how God had smiled on me that moment. As I look back on it, she would only have been a couple of years older than I am now.
Her name was Mary Helen Davis. Or, to my family and to multiple hundreds of people at Houston’s First Baptist Church, “Mrs. Mary Helen.” I was in my early thirties and teaching my first ungraded class of women when she walked in one Sunday right before class with one of those off-white rectangular cassette recorders with the big thick buttons. I looked at her curiously and she waved her hand as if to dismiss it entirely and said, “I’m just going to set this right here…” (a folding table near my small podium) “…and record some of these lessons. Who knows but that somebody might want one some time. Don’t pay any attention to it. You’ll never know it’s there.”
Within several years as the class grew, she moved a duplicator upstairs in her home and copied tapes all by herself each week for anybody who signed up for one. And…wait for it…laid hands on every single tape. She hand wrote the title of the lesson on each cassette with a Sharpie. Several years after that, her best buddy and our second official volunteer, Julie Weir, began helping her. Because of God’s grace alone, the class kept growing and people kept ordering and a couple of years after that, we started looking for a tiny little office space so our homes were not turned upside down. I wish I had some way of making this next statement appear on this page with all the passion and honesty that I feel as I write it: NO ONE ON THE PLANET has supported, (accidentally) steered, served and loved this ministry more than Mrs. Mary Helen Davis. She even let me try the name “Living Proof” on her. Turned out, she liked it.
Soon after that, that title developed into the name of a non-profit and necessitated a board of directors. And she was on it.
During all this time, she was not just supporting me in ministry. She supported me in mothering. Melissa was one and Amanda was four when Mrs. Mary Helen first came into our lives. Because she was in both my Sunday School class and my aerobics classes, we saw her a minimum of three times a week. My girls do not remember life pre-Mrs. Mary Helen. To give you some idea of how in love they fell with her, there was a period of years when I never – let me say that again a little louder – I NEVER got one single craft that Melissa Moore did in Sunday School. Nope. Mrs. Mary Helen did. Stay with me here. EVEN MY MOTHER’S DAY PRESENT made in kindergarten Sunday School went straight past me and into Mrs. Mary Helen’s hands. We both laughed so hard behind Melissa’s back that we nearly couldn’t stand up. Mrs. Mary Helen was such a fun sport that she’d take them…and I’d let her…and we’d tell it and retell it on Melissa for years to come. (Amanda was too sensitive about people’s feelings to be as forthright about passing me over for Mrs. Mary Helen but I don’t doubt she wanted to. I’m sure it was a sacrifice.) My mother had gone to be with the Lord Jesus when Amanda married and Mrs. Mary Helen sat right beside me on that front row and when, at the first glimpse of that gorgeous bride, I stood to my feet, she stood right beside me. And bawled her head off.
When Melissa was six years-old and in the hospital for a week, you can guess who she requested. Of course, she got both of us. I did not give over that easy. But at least I got to go home and get a change of clothes on occasion. Melissa swore and declared that Mrs. Mary Helen would be one of her bridesmaids and we were all – including Mrs. Mary Helen – scared to death she was serious. We were all relieved when she gave over at the time and let Mrs. Mary Helen simply stand in place as the Bride’s maternal grandmother. Mrs. Mary Helen just didn’t know if she could bring herself to wear one of those strapless bridesmaids’ dresses.
Mrs. Mary Helen adored my children. And my husband. Oh, she’d laugh at him! (And all the harder if I didn’t think he was very funny.) But, to be fair, she didn’t just love our family. She loved everyone she met. She cooked for people, doted on them and showered them with gifts. Case in point: one time my coworker Sabrina talked about often serving her family their dinner on paper plates. Mrs. Mary Helen never judged her. She just bought her a whole set of dishes. Sabrina treasures them like diamonds set in solid gold today. So many of my coworkers can tell similar stories and all of them can boast in God’s kindness to them shown through that one powerful woman who never appeared anywhere except behind the scenes. She moved to Washington State several years ago to live near her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren – whom she totally adored. We could hardly tear ourselves away from her but her health was declining and she did exactly what she needed to do. Her family got to lap up every possible drop of those last few years. God was all wise. He always is.
Our beloved Mrs. Mary Helen saw Jesus late Wednesday night.
We are so happy for her. And so happy for HIM. He must surely be delighted. And, there is no doubt in my mind that He has the best tape ministry He’s ever had.
But I have cried my eyes out, over and over since her daughter Carol let me know that He’d come for her. She was loving enough to tell me only a couple of minutes later. I am so thankful that she has so graciously allowed me to love her mother alongside her, as my second mother. My girls are heartbroken over her passing, too. Oh, mercy. She was a love. We will grieve to the extent that we loved. We will spend much of next week getting ready for her service. It will be back here in Houston where she raised her family and she will be buried right next to her man.This is the two of them. It was taken I guess about 10 years ago.
This is her and her BFF Julie Weir. We were all dressed in jammies for a staff Christmas party.
A few of us at another staff Christmas party when we moved from a jammy theme to a headdress theme.
And another. She is holding our Jackson in this picture who appeared that day as Claus.
I am almost positive this was taken at Amanda’s wedding:
This picture is Mrs. Mary Helen, her daughter, Carol, and me on a very important day at Living Proof Ministries: the dedication of the Mary Helen Davis Resource Center.
This will be on the wall of that center as long as God chooses for Living Proof Ministries to exist.
We all hope we’re loved but, for all of us, occasionally we absolutely KNOW we are loved. We don’t know why maybe. But we are. I do not know why God caused this woman to love me.
But she did.
And my entire life was changed in those arms.
Oh when the saints….go marching in!
Thank you Father for sharing such a servant. We’re all indebted to her service. Her willingness to “do” what it took to minister to so many will keep going.
Lord–make me a willing helper too!
Beautiful.
tender-hearted to your pain.
I want one of those too. Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories.
So moving…a great reminder that a great goal in life would be to help others succeed. Where would all of us be without Mrs. Mary Helen? That’s one lady I want to hug around the neck in heaven!!!!!
Sweet Beth, Amanda, Melissa … I am so sorry for your loss. How blessed she was to love you and to be loved by you, and vice versa. She is proof that one can make a difference … just by offering support/ encouragement. Wow!
Such a sweet lady!!
I met Mrs. Mary Helen Davis at The Living Proof Bible studies. She was a true prayer warrior and I enjoyed visiting with her each Tuesday night at Bible study. God lived in her and it was evident for us all to see. Although, I did not know her as well as others at Liiving Proof ministries did, she made everyone she met feel that they were important and that they were loved too. My father is a Baptist minister and I introduced her to him and my mother when they were living over here in the Houston area after Rita hit our homes in Port Arthur and we were displaced from our homes for several weeks. Dad also knew another prayer warrior Marge Caldwell that went to be with the Lord several years ago from his days as a minister in Midland, Texas. Now God has another lady in heaven with him now..rest in peace dear Mary Helen you are loved and missed but we will see you again one day.
Oh, what a beautiful tribute and inspiration. Praying for you during this difficult week. My husband always says that one of the great things about heaven is no more goodbyes! Love and prayers!
Beth thank you for sharing the beautiful and inspiring legacy Mrs. Mary Helen left for you and so many 🙂 Grieving such a great loss is not easy but speaks of the fullness and sweetness of the relationship you shared -such a precious gift of God to know one who “lives it out” and pours out God’s lavish love on others in this world. I’m sure the first words she heard were “well done my good and faithful servant!”
Asking God to lift your burden of sorrow and replace it with precious memories of all the love you shared with Mary Helen and comfort you with the sure & certain hope of the promised reunion to come 🙂
I have one of these special people in my life too in the form of a college professor turned second mother. I often laugh and asked out of the thousands of people who have filtered in and out of her classrooms over the years why I am the one who stuck. She came to me at a point in my life where I so needed her guidance and wisdom. Years later, and I still find myself needing it. But she was the first person (outside of Jesus) who could look past my mess and see the person I could be. I don’t know why God chose to bless me so lavishly (Mine’s name is Lisa, although I just call her Mom), but I thank Him constantly for extending His love for me through her! This was such a great tribute to Mrs. Mary Helen. I feel bless just by reading it.
And she was well-loved back. She will be dearly missed. So sorry for your loss, Beth. And thankful she was there for you like a mom, too. She was an amazing and beautiful woman. Hugs, Annette
What a beautiful woman with a heart willing to be used. I want to be a Mrs. Mary Helen!
Just found this quote on Ann Voskamp’s blog from an old hymn, and I had to come back here to linger a little longer.
“God be in my head, and in my understanding, God be in my eyes, And in my looking, God be in my mouth, And in my speaking; God be in my heart, And in my feeling; God be at my death And at my departing.” ~Walford Davies
This is a beautiful tribute! I just loved reading it…and started crying when I realized that Mrs. Mary Helen had gone to be with Jesus. Thank you for sharing about this wonderful woman with us…I’m so thankful for all that she was for you and your ministry and your family!
Beth:
Thanks for sharing Mrs. Mary Helen’s story. Her beautiful and faithful Spirit will live on in the lives of those she touched. This story will encourage all who read it to be more loving and Christ-like.
I pray for comfort and peace for you and her family and friends. Be Blessed!
Beth,
There is nothing sweeter than an older person stepping up to mentor a younger servant. I am so glad you were blessed with your Mrs.Mary Helen. I too have been blessed by two older women who are now with the Lord and I miss them everyday. Can’t wait to get to heaven and give them a hug. Miss Eudora will be playing the piano and Miss Helen will be sewing for everyone.
I will keep your family in my prayers as you say your earthly goodbyes and await heaven’s glorious hello again.
Linda
Last a dear friend of mine passed away just shy of being 81. His wife is 83. When I was young and trying to get a start they really helped. They didn’t have to. They just did because it was in their means to do so.
Virgil was a man of hard work. I have never met anyone who loved to dig like he dig. No one could handle a shovel or backhoe with the grace he did. And he did his work unto the Lord. A job that most people would think would be mundane he did with excitement and enthusiasm.
His wife Betty, and I worked in a counseling ministry together and she too has been a great encouragement to me. She is always one to look on the bright side and point people to the Lord.
There is something special about older people who arrive at the point in life that they could kick back and think about themselves, but rather invest in younger people to build them up.
Thank you for telling us about your friend Mary Helen. In a significant way, she is a friend to all of us that have been blessed by LPM. We never know where the encouragement we offer others will lead. It appears Mary Helen was faithful to do what the Lord gave her to do and Christ has multiplied that effort beyond what she probably ever imagined He would.
Oh this brought tears to my eyes! Absolutely beautiful story. I amm so sorry for your loss. But, it does make it so much easier when you know that you know that the person who passed is for sure in the loving arms of God. It sounds as if she will be greatly missed and leave a whole in many hearts for years to come. What a blessing that sweet lady was.
Hope you find comfort in each others and the wonderful storeis that are shared.
Jackie
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful bless with us. If only there were more Mrs. Mary Helen’s in this world, what a wonderful would it would be.
Such a beautiful tribute. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Dear Beth,
How you’ve blessed us with your loving story of the impact Mrs. Mary Helen had on your family and your ministry. How precious her heart – how willingly she served! Like Aaron and Hur holding up the arms of Moses, she came alongside you and held you up in prayer and in tangible ways. God’s work doesn’t have to be obvious to be meaningful. Thank you for reminding us!
Joretta
What a beautiful woman. How blessed you all are to have known her.
Beth,
I have been a believer for about 5 years. I am asking for help or direction
and would love to see a series or blog video about practical ways
to have a daily, thriving, fruitful relationship with the Lord.
Yes, I do bible studies, and pray, but need direction for how to
study my bible more on my own and how and what kinds of things
you use in your own personal quiet time. For instance, what do you actually
do each day during your QT with Him? Do you always use a devotional? How do you pick one? Obviously, prayer is a huge component. i’ve heard you say that you use
a prayer journal….Give me specifics! How do you ensure that NO ONE sees or reads them? I am a mom of 3 little ones, and
teach full time, so my time is limited, but I am feeling much
conviction about getting up each morning to spend time with Him, which is inconsistent. I would love some practical ways on how to hear from Him
other than just doing bible studies. Thanks! Lindsay
So privileged to share with you – you might say I am seasoned at this since I was saved about 55 years ago, always having a devotion of some sort each day.
I used to use a lot of devotionals with comments by the author, including encouraging tips on different topics. Then there came a day about 15 years ago that I knew I needed just the Word- I needed to read Word for Word what He had to say, not someone else. I needed to know where certain verses were in the Scriptures. So I decided to read one chapter a day through one book from the Old Testament and when that book was done I chose one from the New Test. again a chapter a day till it was done. The books of Acts and Joshua were quite exciting and I often didn;t want to stop. I have always loved Ephesians to 3 John. Now I read the Psalms and Proverbs continuously , usually takes a year or more; then I start over back at Psalm 1 -I highlight, underline, write dates in margins and now I pray the verses as I slowly read, praying for myself and for others claiming whatever the Lord says etc.
I had just finished reading Joshua about l0 years ago, when I discovered Beth Moore and her Bible Study “Believing God”. The Lord had surely gone ahead of me and already prepared my heart as this study is taken from Joshua. You too will find the Lord prepares you with the book He chooses for you study or wherever you are in His Word.
Through discovering the power in praying Scripture, I started using Beth Moore’s little devotional book called “Praying God’s Word Day by Day”. Mine is falling apart- I have 3 years of side-margin notes all dated. That is a prayer every day praying Scripture in our language to the Lord. Then I discovered Sarah Young’s daily devotionals – Jesus Calling for the first one and then a longer deeper one- Jesus Lives, same author. These are Scriptures put into a prayer from the Lord to us- as if He was talking to us, which He is in the Scriptures – just easier language like we understand- directing us to turn to Him in the pressures of life etc.- sooooo every meaningful and always pertinent and perfect for what you are going through at the time.
I also love to pray continuously throughout the day as I work. (the Lord has supplied me a job where I am able to do this). My prayers were becoming quite repetitious until I discovered Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memorization Team ( I used to memorize up to 400 verses a year in elementary school days for contests and still have the Bible I won for one of them). As I learn and memorize the verse the Lord lays on my heart, I soon learn it applies to whatever I am going thru or a friend is, and I use those verses as I keep adding more throughout the year to review in my heart and mind and pray over others as I excercise , which I have never been able to take time to do. That way my mind is not wandering or blank but all the time renewing itself with the Word of God. I read for half hour every night before bed so use study books like Andrew Murrays Devotional on Prayer to dig deeper to understand prayer etc. I also use on almost a daily basis Beth Moore’s book Praying God’s Word which has chapters under different headings of strongholds and struggles and many Scriptures at the end of each chapter to claim as Promises from Him and to pray over others or your own situation. I have been praying these over my Prodigal Son for a year and fasting one day a week praying them especially all day long as I work, and the Lord has intervened in his life in answer to my prayer miraculously as only He can do. The exact specific tactics the enemy is using in my son’s life I prayed over using specific Scriptures in that chapter- I know I can trust Him to draw my son out of the deep waters and onto the narrow path…month by month I see breakthroughs that I know are only happening because of the Power of Praying His Word.
Stormie Omartians books and devotionals on Prayer also build one up in the faith to make you a strong Prayer Warrior. But be aware, the enemy will distract you and do anything to keep you from praying- he knows the Power in Prayer also. I often go down in my sons room and say out loud so the enemy can hear it- “in the authority given to me by the blood of Jesus Christ you are squashed and stepped on beneath my feet to have an impact on my son”. and I use the verses in the various books under various headings especially the enemys strongholds.
My daughter too has 3 little ones- I will pray for you to use your best time be it morning or evening to draw close to Him through His Word and Prayer. At least try one of the devotionals mentioned above with maybe just a few words from Him before you start tackling your busy day.
Love and prayers from Kathy
Beth, I just wanted to tell you what your Red Treasure Box illustration on Tues. night’s Bible Study did for me! I was shocked when you said that “our treasure might not necessarily be something good”……that really got my attention. Then as you illustrated, holding that red box up close to your face with your arms wrapped around it and peeking into the box, examining it, closing the box, thinking about it, peeking into the box again all the time with your arms wrapped around it – I saw myself and my “treasure” that I have thought about, cried over, examined and re-examined thousands (if not more) times to see what else I could do to “fix it”! Always to end up disappointed because this is God’s to fix – not mine! At that point, in the revelation of that moment, I let it go to God. REALLY this time! Without saying a word, I just felt it GO. I have experienced what John 8:36 really feels like! “So if the Son liberates you, then you are really and unquestionable free.” I really FEEL FREE! I feel light, He has taken the burden and I know He will take care of it – His way and in His time. Now my treasure box is being filled with all the good things God has done in my life, as you suggested:) Love you Beth!
Oh, Candi, it was a powerful moment for me, too. That illustration came TO this soul. Not from it. I’ve thought about it so much. I’m so blessed it ministered to you. God is so gracious.
I’m reminded again how important it is to be faithful when “God calls us to support” someone. Whether it be prayerfully, financially, sacrificially through our time, or simply a card or kind word. How many blessings have we missed out on because of our unfaithfulness? What a beautiful picture of a life committed to Christ. I’m certain she bowed at the feet of Jesus and heard “well done, good and faithful servant!”
Beth,
I can see Mrs. Mary Helen meant so much to you and your family. He has blessed you so much, having provided you Mary Helen as a dear mentor and friend, that is such a special gift from Him…She was so impactful on your life, I can see…the funeral must have been this week…I’m praying for you all.
Beth,
I’m so grateful to the Lord for you and LPM today. I wanted to tell you all that. Your encouragement means so much to me. God has been so good to us…
I am in tears – what a beautiful tribute. What a gift she was! I’m inspired by her life and yours. Thank you.
You lost a mother, grandma, auntie, friend, sister in Christ all in one loss of your precious friend. I thank God for her life, and loving you and your family so dearly……..and the reminder that we don’t have to be “blood related”……to be like family. I know you are so grateful to God for her. Our family has a “Mary Helen” in our lives too. But had to move away from her. She’s been a grandma to our girls. A mom to my husband and I. Spent Christmas or Thanksgiving with us. Been the most amazing spiritual mentor and girlfriend to me……… I’m gonna go call her now 🙂
Thank you for sharing that. I’ve had a similar experience with a woman who has been a second mom to me for 20 years now. I often think the same thing, why did you bless me like this Lord because I sure don’t deserve it. He always tells me the same thing, because you needed her and she needed you. I’m glad to know He does the same for others as well. It’s a rare treasure and we are blessed!
Mary Helen’s daughter in law, Diane, called me tonight to tell me of this sad news. Since Diane and I are the best of friends, I got to have the privilege of knowing Mary Helen (Mrs. Davis as I called her) throughout the years. Each Sunday morning, I use to love walking by Beth’s Sunday school class to see if Mary was there and if so, I always made a point to go say hello. She truly loved her family, grandkids and everyone around her. She will be missed, but I know I will get to see her again one day. My dad, Lynn Roloff, past away last September, and he had a love for Christ like Mrs. Davis. Now they are both rejoicing in the sight of the Lord!
Praise God for a woman who believed God’s Word enough to invest her own life in yours! We all need a Mary Helen.
Praying for you as you celebrate her life.
Beth,
I thank you for sharing, wow how MOVING!
I pray that Lord sends a Godly mentor in my like just like Mary Helen. Amen.
I’m starting out just like you Beth, fitness ministry & bible study group. I trust God has big plans for me.
Please keep me in prayer. I would love to meet you in the future.
I pray for you, your family and ministry every day. Love you,
Mallery
Mallery, it always touches me deeply when someone says she prays for me and my family every day. Prayer is WORK. I do not take lightly that you would intercede for us so often. I cannot fathom where my life would be apart from prayer. It’s exciting to hear how God is working in your life! May He bring 1 Corinthians 2:9 to life right before your eyes.
What a beautiful tribute, Beth! Though I’ve never met Mrs. Mary Helen, I feel as though I have now. I cry with you. Good for Mrs. Mary Helen! Good for Heaven! Prayers are with the family and all of you.
We’ve had a number of wonder folk pass away lately in our church family, including the mother of a close friend of ours (her funeral is this Saturday). It’s hard for us who must say goodbye, but on the other hand, there must be quite a party in heaven right now as they all have a “reunion” on the other side, free of the infirmities that age brings.
Oh, Beth! I am not a very outwardly emotional creature (dang, I don’t like that about myself), but I have to say, as I read this post, my eyes welled with tears. This is such a beautiful tribute to an equally (obviously) beautiful woman. THANK YOU for sharing her story and for inspiring us all to care more, to reach out more, as Miss Mary Helen did.
Blessings,
Toni
What a tender sweet life-story of a woman who obviously touched lives and cheered the saints on!
Several years ago before you had even begun publishing bible studies and books you spoke at a woman’s retreat for Lake Pointe Church (we were probably still Dalrock Baptist Church at the time). I was in the process of opening a little bookstore in our church so I had a few tables of books. Of course, several ladies asked for recordings of your teaching. I remember talking with you about that and you so surprised that anyone would want them but “OK” and you told me about a woman taping your lessons at home! Hindsight and perspective allows us to see God’s big footprints doesn’t it?
This week also a beautiful little girl, Azlynn, daughter of the Cretzmans, missionaries to Cuba, went on to heaven too. (She died in a tragic accident in NC on Monday.) Perhaps your friend Mary Helen will wrap little Azlynn up in her arms, give her a hug from her mommy and daddy, and walk her around heaven. My heart is heavy for all of you grieving. So thankful we have the Heavenly Comforter to help us in our times of grief.
I so loved Mrs. Mary Helen. She was so dear to me, especially when my Dad went to be with Jesus giving me advice on how I could really be supportive of my mom. She always had a hug and her sweet, infectious smile. She loved to be at the resource table at Bible Study and show the dedication inside “Praying God’s Word.” I’m sure that table was a weekly reminder of what God will do when we follow His prompting and submit to His will…how He has grown the ministry and enabled you, Beth. I think of her often and miss that beautiful example of a gentle spirit.
I know she loved you, Gayle! Thank you for honoring her with us. May God increase His glory through her story.
I an so sorry for your loss. Mary Helen sounded like a wonderful, Godly lady. What a blessing she was to your family & LPM. We will pay for you as you grieve her loss. What a celebration she is having in Heaven!
I love that you share her name!
WOW! Thank you for sharing Mrs. Mary Helen with us…God is so good the bless us with special people who see us with His eyes…who see beyond what we can see to what God sees in us…and encourage us in our walk of faith…
What an inspiration to us all!!!! Thank you for sharing with everyone.
Wow, praise God from whom all blessings flow. What a testimony-and how wonderful that Gay will share with all of us. Being one of four children, born to two-tea totalling parents, but all became to some degree addicted/alcoholic. Three now sober, but only by God’s grace am I living for Jesus. Two brothers don’t drink-but are universalists believing in the great spirit-and everyone is OK. One brother who still believes he doesn’t have a problem-and he’s been the entire spiral even to homelessness. Thank you Gay-praise the Lord for your recovery, for your voice, for your willingness to each day work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Thank you for sharing to bring hope to the hopeless, and Jesus to the dying.
Marilyn
beth, such a sweet tribute!!
I heard Andy Andrews speak on the Butterfly Effect this weekend at a Women of Faith One Day event. Mrs. Mary Helen flapped her beautiful butterfly wings and so affected you and your family and so many in her sphere of influence, but that little fluttering of wings right there in Houston has sent a tsunami of God’s love around the world. The Butterfly Effect of Mary Helen’s love lives on in your ministry every single day and I thank God that she came along and walked along side you until her Beloved Jesus called her home. Bless you, Beth, Amanda, Melissa and all who loved her. Bless you in the comfort and love.
What a touching tribute.
Be Still my heart!!!!
Mrs.Mary Helen is the reason why songs such as, “I want to be a legacy.” are written. Eternity just got better!
I always tell my friends,family and guests when they ask how I am. I reply, “I am excited to be One day closer to meeting Jesus.”
Then Journey Continues ~
With “Heaven Bound” blessings & getting to meet Mrs. Mary Helen one day!!! 🙂
So beautiful.
Thank you for sharing the life-changing influence of Mrs. Mary Helen’s life on so many.
Thanking Jesus for her and the exponential ways His love through her trickled down and poured out through you Beth to countless other women who never knew her…like me.
Praying the tender, sweet, beautiful love of Jesus will comfort and carry your hearts as you grieve her passing and celebrate the incredible gift and blessing of her life…
Dear Beth, I just received the latest email letting me know of your new blog post. I am sad to say that I had missed the last few, so I read backwards to catch up and came across the one about Mrs. Mary Helen. First let me say, I am so sorry for your loss. What I wanted to tell you was that, I think you were just talking about her today in your James Bible study. You didn’t mention her name, but the stories are the same. How wonderful is that! She sounded like an amazing woman and I know you will miss her. Love and prayers to you and your family as well as her!
Oh, this reminded me of Galatians 6..”Let us not grow weary of doing good. When we sow of the Spirit we will reap of the Spirit.” A paraphrase that does the passage little justice, nevertheless….How beautiful the testimonies of those who have gone to be with the Lord! I want to be a woman like Mrs. Mary when I grow up; a behind the scenes, Jesus loving, people impacting kinda gal!
Dear Beth,
I’ve missed you! This is the first time in 12 years that we have not had our regular once a week get together during one of your incredible studies. The Lord has me on a different journey this year, a healing journey, and you can’t imagine how often I’ve thought of you along the way! I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am to hear about your loss. What an incredible sweetheart she was! I was so thankful that you mentioned the story about your girls giving their crafts to her. I lost my mother a year ago and she was such a huge part of my kids lives…much like Mrs. Mary. My son gave most of his hand made crafts to her too…including Mothers Day crafts. Thanks for that sweet memory. Praise God for Mrs. Mary and what she did to impact your ministry!
This is a beautiful story. As well as your sisters. Thankyou for sharing. God Bless us all!
Angelique