“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ”  Ephesians 2:4-5

“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”   Titus 2:6-8

My mother was an unassuming woman who was quite intelligent and gifted.  As a surgical nurse for roughly 30 years, she had to be precise and accurate.  As a student she excelled.  She was valedictorian of her high school graduating class and graduated with honors when she had to return to school as an adult while working full time to maintain her nursing licensing after a move from one state to another.  She was also an excellent seamstress and cook.  All of this was done without calling attention to herself as that was never her goal.  For me she was a model of how to live a quiet life minding one’s own business and working with one’s hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11).  Three specific areas that readily come to mind are stewardship, hospitality and integrity.  God in His mercy put her in my life as an example and teacher as well as in the lives of others for their benefit.

“In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)  Stewardship is important area of Christian life.  All that we have is from God and belongs to God.  Consequently, we are called to be good stewards of those provisions.  This is an area in which my mother excelled.  As a pastor’s family in a small denomination and an era when the pastor’s salary was often minimal, we didn’t have a lot.  However, God certainly provided for us in many ways.  While there was not much excess, we were always well fed and clothed.  Our home was clean and comfortable because our parents took good care of the belongings with which we were provided.    My mother always dressed well and took very good care of what she had.  In fact many of their belongings are still being used in our home.  As we know, our stewardship extends beyond our assets to our skills and our words.  She would use her sewing skills to make clothes for herself as well as wedding and brides maids’ dresses for others.  She helped care for widows and assisted new mothers with their babies, etc.  Often behind the scenes and unknown to others, she would help and encourage those who needed it in some way.

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”  (1 Peter 4:9)  As a pastor’s wife, my mother was regularly called upon to provide food and lodging for guests.  During my father’s pastorate in Pennsylvania, she would cook dinner for at least a dozen people every Sunday.  In addition to our family, the crowd would include missionaries, other pastors, and many college students.  When Mom entertained, it always seemed special with careful attention to the details and appeared effortless.  As our home was attached to the church and two blocks from a tavern, she would occasionally provide food to local drunks looking for handouts.  While they were never given money, they would leave with a sack lunch provided with respect.  That mindset carried down to the next generation and it was joked at our wedding that the next branch of the “Henning Hotel” had just been established.  While this may not be everyone’s gift, we are called upon to minister to others in this way as we are given the means and opportunity for we never know whom we may be entertaining or how we may be impacting the life of another.

“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” (Proverbs 11:3)  One of the greatest skills that my mother exemplified for me was her integrity.  When my father felt led to the mission field and she did not, she would submit her will and prepare to go.  However, God in His mercy prevented both without depriving my father of active ministry in foreign missions.  First by the communist takeover in China and again when the second couple preparing start a new mission in Ecuador backed out three days before we were to leave.  For the sake of her patients, my mother would challenge doctors to ensure that things were not left in patients during surgery.  She never talked about her patients and she bore much pain from empathy as a result of emergency surgeries.  When Roe v. Wade eventually led to the requirement that hospitals offer abortions, my mother would refuse to assist in abortions that were not medically necessary to save a life.  In short, she was not one to sacrifice her convictions for convenience or popularity.

I am very grateful for the godly virtues that my mother modeled for me.  I am also grateful for other Christians who have provided examples of living a godly life and have encouraged and counseled me in my walk…both those I know personally and those who have helped through their ministries.  As grateful as I am for God’s provision of these people in my life, God in His mercy has provide the perfect example in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Paul reminds us of this in Romans 15:5: “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.”  As children of God, we are called to live our lives according to Christ’s example using all that God has given to us to encourage and aid others in the body of Christ as well as to be a light in the world pointing others to the salvation lovingly provided by God through His Son.  Our trials should not limit our witness, but rather enhance it as we testify to God’s goodness in our struggles by living quietly and enduring faithfully to provide encouragement to those around us.  God in His mercy has been faithful to us; we in turn must be faithful to Him as well.

May our Lord provide wisdom, strength and grace that you may in all things show yourself to be an examples of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach.

Will