Lessons of a Life Well Lived
“…he lives with you, and will be in you.” John 14:17
In the summer of 1952, a young lady of sixteen gave birth to a little girl and named her Iris. Iris grew up in the small town of Westville, Indiana where a single yellow light flashes on Main Street even today and basketball reigns supreme. As an adult, Iris moved away from her tiny town as soon as possible and made a different life. She had three children, earned a degree in fashion design and served actively in her church.
In 1994 my mother, Iris Dee Johnson, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 43. Though I miss her greatly, the lessons she taught me by a life well lived, continue to echo through me. I never heard gossip pass her lips. She included everyone in her life regardless of income, race, or religion. I saw her sin, repent and ask for forgiveness even if it meant humbling herself to her children. Most importantly I observed her faith in action when I caught her praying before the sun rose, teaching Sunday school to two year olds, or learning God’s word through Bible Study Fellowship. She served the Lord by serving those He placed in her path. I knew that the Spirit lived in her by her profession of faith, but also by her daily walk.
God has asked us not only to encourage women in their daily tasks, but to go one step further and share with you the good news of His Son. The Lord has already blessed our prayer to be used by Him to further His kingdom. It seems like a daunting task even now, but I am reminded that nothing is impossible when, “he (the Holy Spirit) lives with you, and will be in you.” God did not intend for every child to have a mother exactly like Iris Johnson, but He does desire for every person to be like His Son. Would you join with our team in praying that we serve every woman who comes to us as the hands and feet of Jesus? We covet your prayers for our ministry.
by M.E. Brown
Guest Blogger
Prayer is a Pro-Life Weapon
We as women who pray have two choices at that moment. We can stop what we are doing and pray with her or say I will pray with you later.
Just recently, I had this very opportunity be asked of me to pray with a lovely lady who was setting up for the young girls Wonderfully Made conference. We were both overwhelmed with our bins of products and decorations. She came over to me and said, “I need prayer, and will you pray for me?”
I stopped everything and invited her to a private area down the hallway, away from all the commotion. Then I proceeded to listen to her request. Her daughter lives in Nevada with a husband who is going to prison and leaving her with their 5 children to raise by herself. To make it more interesting, she just found out that she is pregnant with their 6th child. She was so overwhelmed by her circumstances that she scheduled for an abortion the day of our conference. So we had 24 hours to reach her heart and save her baby. We got on our knees weeping and pleading that God Almighty would rescue this precious grandchild and give a heart change of courage to her daughter.
After prayer, we got up and kept getting ready for the conference. I rallied all the ladies there and we prayed together and promised to be interceding all night. We all went home filled with heavy burden for this baby in the balance and the mother feeling so hopeless.
Next morning during conference, we had no word. I was going to share about A Place for Women to the young girls at 10:20. At 10:05 the woman vender came in with tears on her face. I was holding my breath and waiting to hear what she was going to say.
She said, “She is keeping the baby, she can’t do it” (meaning the abortion). I just started crying and all who knew did too.
So back into the hallway on our knees we gave thanks and praise for God’s rescuing power! This new baby growing inside of his mother’s womb has already begun writing his powerful testimony of how great our God is at rescue.
As women who pray, God has invited us to bring others into His presence and experience together His saving power. Please don’t miss His invitation.
Prayer is a Pro-Life weapon,
Sue Skinner