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JOY IS POSSIBLE |
Marilynn Maus sat in my office, like hundreds have done before, to tell her pastor something that was heavy on her heart. This mother better known as “Mimi” to her six children, fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren had something heavy to share. In the more than six years that I have been her pastor, there had been very few weeks when she could not be seen volunteering in the office, serving food to the homeless downtown, visiting the sick in the hospital, singing in the choir, while always donning the most beautiful smile no matter what. The smile was there that day too. Marilynn had recently taken an 11-week Christian short course, with a small group dynamic, called Alpha. Perhaps some of her friends wondered why such a strong Christian like Marilynn would need such a course. Her small group bonded and became great friends. After the course was over they continued to meet weekly. Days before she came to speak to me, she had already shared with her small group of friends. They had cried with her, prayed together, held her close and helped her work out how she would tell her family and pastor that she had metastasized lung cancer with a terminal, months-to-live, prognoses. After she told me her news and we shared our tears and prayers she said, “Alpha and my small group changed my life. I was given an understanding of the Holy Spirit that gives me a tranquil peace. I have been amazed at how I have been able to handle health challenges that have recently confronted me. So many people have been praying for me and one big thing God has touched me with is my Christian friends at Lovers Lane. They have been a real strength to me. This great church has lifted me up in prayer and I know it has a lot to do with the calm I feel. I was able to go through weeks of chemo with a peace that passes understanding—it’s like hearing God say, ‘You’ll be fine.’” Marilynn outran us to heaven on March 3, 2004, just days before her story would be published on this website around the theme, “Joy is possible, wanna know why?” Thanks to her family for allowing us to tell her story and for sharing “Mimi” with the greater community. In many of our hearts, her smile can still be seen. Speaking of joy, it was a joy to be her pastor. Written by Stan Copeland, Pastor, We would love to hear from you! <Click here |