Women of Faith

June, 1975
My Bridal Shower
(L-R):  Daisy (Mammommie) Shearon {my grandmother-in-law}, Me,
and  Ilene (Maw) McDonald {my paternal grandmother}

These precious ladies are both in heaven now.  They were two of the most important influences on my life.  Each was a woman of strong faith and great courage.  Having lost their husbands at just about the same time, yet never having met until the day of my Bridal Shower, they produced a strong influence on me and I'm quite sure neither ever knew just how much I loved her.

Maw McDonald loved me from before I was born and always had time for me.  The days of my childhood are filled with happy memories of Maw and time spent with her.  She loved Terry from the day she was introduced to him and always enjoyed his picking on her.  I can still hear them laughing together.  He loved her just as dearly as she loved him.  She encouraged me and continues to do so even though she has been with the Lord for nearly 16 years.

Mammommie Shearon took me as her own on the very first day Terry introduced me to her.  She took up for me and loved me as though I were hers.  I was with her just one day prior to her going home to be with Jesus.  As weak and sick as she was, her only concern was for me and that Terry and I were doing well.  The last words she ever spoke to me were how me she loved me and was thankful the Lord had given Terry me for his wife.  She went to be with Jesus only three short years after Terry and I married, but her influence on me was much greater than the few years I was privileged to know her.

Where would I be today without the love and acceptance these precious ladies gave to me?  I shudder to think!

Similarly, teach the older women

to live in a way that honors God.

They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.

Instead, they should teach others what is good.

These older women must train the younger women

to love their husbands and their children,

to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,

to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.

Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

Titus 2: 3-5  (NLT)