I've Been Awarded Again!!

Another dear friend kindly "awarded" me on her blog, but I want to use this post to highlight HER and all she has taught me. I count it a true privilege to be her friend, and even though we have never met I can say I really love her and feel as close to her as I do my closest "in real life" friends.

I became acquainted with Marsha during the summer of 2006, shortly after her family had received the devastating news that her seriously ill husband was not a candidate for a liver transplant due to several large tumors. He went home to be with the Lord on Dec 1 of last year, about 4 months later. During those 4 months, and for this entire year since his death, Marsha has allowed herself to be vulnerable and gut-wrenchingly honest with her TOG sisters through the yahoo group we participate in (and if you haven't read my sidebar in a while, TOG stands for Tapestry of Grace, the history curriculum we use in our homeschool). We have cried with her, laughed with her, marveled at God's work in her life, prayed for her, prayed for her some more, fasted and prayed for her, rejoiced in all God's provision and all the good He was working through such a difficult circumstance.

The moderator of the TOG yahoo group formed a support network for Marsha - ladies from the group who would commit to a week of tangible support through phone calls, emails, Scripture shared, prayers prayed, gifts sent through the mail, and then hand the baton of support to another woman for the following week. This weekly support network began while Marsha's husband was still alive, and continued through the first several months after his death. I was so privileged to be part of Marsha's support network. I truly believe it changed me. To be honest, I was sometimes nervous as I anticipated "my" week with Marsha. What could I possibly say to her that would provide comfort and encouragement? I had no idea what she was experiencing, and a big part of me shyed away from the prospect of ever knowing. And anyway, how could God use me to help minister to someone who already had such great faith?

My week was in February, about 2 months after her husband's death. I prayed fervently during the week prior, and God was so faithful to clearly speak to me..."read her my word". My own words would be meaningless, but God's Words are powerful, life giving, life changing! So I asked the Lord to show me WHAT words to share with her, and He did. Every day. He would lay a Scripture passage on my heart and I would know that was the one I would read to Marsha over the phone that evening. I called her every day that week and grew to love her sweet, southern accent-tinged voice. We cried together over the phone. I prayed for her outloud, read Scripture to her, listened to her whenever she chose to pour out her heart. I came to look forward to our phone calls so much I could hardly wait to put the kids to bed!

One reason I love Marsha so much is that she is humble. She does not consider herself to be a spiritual giant, and she readily admits when she is struggling. But her faith in God and in God's purposes is simple and runs deep. Just like a child's. Like God has instructed us all to do in Matthew 18:3.

Marsha, thank you for showing me a picture of what trust looks like. Even when it's fragile trust, and even when the darkness surrounding that trust is especially ugly, you persevere in holding on to the One who does not fail. I am so blessed to know you.

You can read Marsha's thoughts for yourself by visiting her blog. I think you will be blessed too!