Mrs. S
Sophie - April 22, 2009
When Melanie and I went to New Orleans for Living Proof Live a couple of weeks ago, I knew that a group of women from a church in my hometown were going to be there, too. So once we got to the arena Friday night, I texted a hometown friend of mine to see if we could chat for a few minutes before the event started. She told me what section she was in, and I ran (okay. "ran" may be a strong term. how about "walked briskly"?) up the stairs to find her.
When we found a place to stand and talk, I asked her if I might know anybody else who had made the trip. She rattled off a few names, none of which I recognized. Then she said, "Mrs. S is here, too."
Mrs. S is a friend of my mama's who is incredibly active for someone in her eighth decade. She's known for always wearing really sassy hats, and my mama thinks she hung the moon. She's one of those women that everybody describes as "dear" or "lovely" or "delightful," and I was beyond tickled to find out that she had made the trip to LPL. My friend pointed out the section where Mrs. S was sitting, and sure enough, after scanning the crowd for a few minutes, I saw a sassy hat. There she was.
After Beth finished teaching Friday night, Travis and the praise team led us in worship. We sang "In Christ Alone," and as we started the part about "No guilt in life / no fear in death / This is the power of Christ in me," I looked to my left. My eyes went straight to Mrs. S's sweet face. There was so much emotion there - so much love and joy and reverence and awe - and as I watched her, I thought, "THAT'S WHO I WANT TO BE ONE DAY. When I get a little older and could oh-so-easily sit in my house and get complacent in my faith, THAT'S WHO I WANT TO BE."
I want to put on my sassy hat when I'm in my early 80s. I want to continue to learn and grow and worship. I want to be more in love with Jesus than ever before. By diggity, I want to get on a church bus and travel for six hours and maybe even share a little bit of what God has taught me. I want to hear a hymn that I've sung countless times in my life and still be so moved by God's grace and mercy that my joy in Him is contagious.
Mrs. S has absolutely no idea, but she encouraged me like crazy that Friday night in New Orleans.
Have you been around anyone lately who has encouraged you like that - even though that person has absolutely no idea?
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (6)
Yes! Our music minister’s wife way back when. I was in my late teens and I would see Darla standing up there in the choir singing every Sunday. And I mean, Darla didn’t just sing, she WORSHIPPED. Every word of every song was straight to God from her heart to His throne. Whether she was singing a solo or standing in a group of a hundred other people it was the same — worshipful. And I would watch her and just cry. My heart would pound. Her worship touched my soul, and I remember thinking way back then, “I want to love God like that!”
She made me hunger to know Him more.
If I were to run into her on the street today I know I would probably just burst into tears and tell her what an impact she had on my life and never knew about.
Posted on April 23, 2009 12:38 PM
Ummm, well, sure…I can think of several, but the one that comes to mind here is you and your blogging. Your honesty takes you (and me!) places I’m afraid to go by myself. Thanks for all the good words.
Posted on April 23, 2009 1:31 PM
Oh, I want to be like Mrs. S, too!!
I have a sweet friend, Louise, married to Louie (both in their late 70’s at least). She just has such a twinkle in her eye and will give you a hug like nobody’s business! She’s just been diagnosed with cancer.
I cannot get one picture from my mind of her and Louie going down a giant (ginormous!) slide in Estes Park. Louise has her hands in the air as she goes down—thrilling to the ride. Louie on the other hand has his arms crossed and looks terrified. Hee hee! It’s just fun to me to think of how we marry our opposites. I tend to be more like Louie than Louise. But, OH! I want to be more like Louise.
Posted on April 23, 2009 9:10 PM
There area a few but not as many as I wish there was. I have noticed that it takes intentional effort to grow old gracefully. There has to be a whole lot of forgiveness going on in people’s lives or else they end up bitter. I am so with you, I want to grow old gracefully and be on fire for the Lord even at 80!
Posted on April 25, 2009 7:47 AM
The lady who impressed me the most recently went Home. I told her one time that I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. She had no idea what I meant. She was 93 when she went Home…she was the mother of a friend. She was doing Bible Study with us when she was in her eighties. She just glowed with Jesus…and the wisdom that came from that sweet woman. that is one of the deepest desires of my heart…to glow like I had just seen Jesus. this was a beautiful post. I could see Mrs. S…you have such a way with words, Sophie. What a blessing, thank you.
Posted on April 27, 2009 8:17 PM
I just now came to this site from the link on Beth’s site, and this post has brought tears to my eyes. I agree with the one who said that you inspire her with your posts, and I agree with the one who said she could think of several, but not as many as she wished, and that she has noticed that it takes a lot of forgiveness to grow old gracefully, not bitter.
There are parts of several women that I want to be like. Of course, only Jesus is perfect, but I want to be an encourager when I am older. I better start being more of one now!!! I wish I could meet your Mrs. S. I will look for her!
Posted on April 27, 2009 11:33 PM