A Mother's Legacy of Faith
by Judy ChristophersonI'd like to share with you about a special event that took place a little while ago.
My stepson, Trent, was married to my new daughter-in-law, Sandi. The weather was "wedding perfect." They were married outside in the garden belonging to our friends, Henry and Laura. The photos were taken in front of the old horse buggy. Then the reception began.
Bonnie, Trent's mom, was the mistress of ceremonies. Rob, the best man, spoke first. He told of his friend, Trent, as a teenager–a boy who smoked dope, shot heroin and drank excessively. He told of his friend, Trent, as a man who came to know Jesus. Trent hung his head through the first part of the talk, then smiled as Rob talked about his decision to invite Christ into his life.
Trent met the Lord in prison. Strung out on dope, he had been abandoned by his family as hopeless. But Christ wasn't finished with him. I sent him a Bible in prison and we would talk on the phone. One day, he made that very important choice.
My mind wandered a bit as I looked around the room. There was Sandi, Trent's new bride, looking like a princess. She had accepted Jesus as her Saviour only a few months before, when I shared with her during Power to Change (a multimedia, evangelistic campaign sponsored by Christian churches in our area). Todd, Trent's brother and my other stepson, made a serious commitment recently and began attending an Alpha program for seekers and new believers. At the next table were my own two children–Kerri and Doug. Both had come to know the Lord through Trent and another close family friend.
And the mistress of ceremonies–Bonnie–was smiling as I was jerked back to reality. She had recommitted her life to the Lord during a women's outreach event at which I was sharing my testimony.
Bonnie began to speak again, saying that the wedding would not have happened without "Judy, my special friend." Only God's grace makes an ex-wife and a wife good friends. Together, we have worked incessantly to see our kids' lives change. And they have.
Not because of our strength. Not because of our ability, but because of our AVAILABILITY, and God's supernatural grace.
Bonnie asked that the parents of the couple stand to be acknowledged. Six people stood. I looked at Tyler, my eight-month-old grandson in his little, white tuxedo. What a legacy for this little boy! All the love and support of a family that focuses on God.
I looked back at our friends, Henry and Laura. What a blessing that room full of people was to them!
You see, not so long ago, they had taken the time to share with me.
This Mother's Day, why don't you take the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with one woman you know? Who knows–sharing with that one mom could affect a room full of people you have never met. What a legacy!
If you are a busy mom, you can still have an impact on the lives of those you see every day. Look for the ministry opportunities that God has placed right in front of you. To learn more about what a mother can do, click here. You don't need special skills and you don't need a lot of time, but you do need inspiration. Be available for the Lord to work through you–learn how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Judy Christopherson is the Director of Operations for Women Today, Canada.
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