A Heavy Heart

I learned this weekend that a friend and former MOPS mentor mom of mine passed away suddenly in her sleep.  The suddenness and surprise of her passing took me quite off guard.  My heart has been so heavy since I heard the news. 

Aside from my grandparents who both suffered long illnesses before their death,  this is really the first person close to me that I’ve known whose died.  She wasn’t just a person that I recognized or said Hi to on Sunday morning.   She was a friend. 

This women hosted our steering meetings month after month in her home.  She even hosted our entire steering retreat in her home (when she was out of town).  She always said, “this is God’s house, use it, please use it!”   Honestly, that was how she lived her life.  She was a true servant.  For as long as I knew her she was always actively and joyfully serving and leading in our church.  She loved her husband and was a true example to us all of a godly wife.  She loved her children and grandchildren and talked of them often.    Most importantly, most vividly, she loved her Lord and she was such a transparent example to us of a woman who whole heartedly served God with her life.   She always a had a big smile, and hug for each of us.  During my leadership in MOPS, I went through a particularly difficult circumstance as a leader, and she walked with me through it.  She was a huge source of support and encouragement to me as I stepped into my role as leader of our group.   I am thankful for the chance I had to learn and grow from her.  I am thankful for the impact and influence she’s had on my life and the lives of so many other ladies I know.   She leaves behind her a godly legacy of a true and faithful servant and she is missed greatly by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.