This morning I attended the memorial service for a woman in our church that passed away on Monday. She was only 46 years old and was diagnosed in April with an in-operable brain tumor. She was one of the administrative assistants at our church, and was married with three sons.
Up until that day in April, she had been completely healthy. They only warning signs they had were a few headaches and some short term memory loss. Their family was forever changed that day in April. From the beginning, her prognosis was grim. Her family, friends and church family have rallied around them to support them. I just can't even begin to imagine the sadness and grief her family is feeling.
It's seems so unfair, someone so young, a wife and mom, a faithful servant....her boys need her!! Why would God take her? And why only four months from the time she was diagnosed? Why, Lord? I know we will never know the answers this side of Heaven. I know that God is in control and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. I know He loves Lisa and her family. I know that He will be glorified through this painful time, and I know that He will take care of her husband and boys. But it is still so difficult to try to comprehend. As Christians, we know there is hope. We know Lisa is with Jesus right now and she is cancer free!
What I didn't know is that Lisa accepted Christ years ago through one of our local MOPS groups. She is dancing with Jesus right now in part because of MOPS!
When I heard that, I wanted to jump up and down yelling, “Thank you Jesus!” MOPS matters! MOPS changes lives! Better moms DO make a better world!
Lisa heard the Gospel and was ministered to through that MOPS group years ago. Praise the Lord! She and her family were forever changed, as was our church family. Through the years, she has served the Lord faithfully and joyfully. She has helped make a better world. MOPS matters. What YOU do matters.
No matter what your steering position is, YOU matter. YOU are making a difference in someone's life. I know ministry is exhausting and emotionally draining. Speakers cancel, MOPPET workers don't show up, you run out of bagels, the craft is a flop, kids get sick, steering team leaders quit, etc. But don't give up!
What you are doing as a MOPS leader is so important. You are bringing Jesus to moms, their kids and their families. You are showing them that there is hope in Jesus Christ. Lisa gave her life to Christ as a result of MOPS. And now she is leaving such a beautiful legacy for her family.
Our pastor shared from 1 Corinthians 15. If you get a chance, read it. Great stuff! Listen to the last verse of the chapter: 58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
I needed to hear that today and so do each of you....Your labor in the Lord is not in vain! Serve Him faithfully, be persistent, and keep ministering to those moms! Thank you, all of you, for what you do each and every day to further the Kingdom of God.
Love,
Kathy
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