Recently a small group of Mary’s friends gathered with her for prayer. The first lady to pray said something that impacted me: “Lord, you know that Mary has always said yes to you, so…”
I don’t recall what came after the “so” because my mind got stuck on what came before it. The yes-to-God part. Though I’d never thought of Mary’s obedience quite like that, it was true.
Some months ago I wrote a blog about our mom being quick to say yes to us and every other kid she knew, wanting to make life fun and happy. But today I thought of Mary saying yes to God as having taken it one step further.
The results of her nod to God’s requests have been many: attending endless committee meetings, struggling through speaking gigs, participating in panel discussions, mentoring young moms, entertaining hundreds of guests, loaning out her car, keeping company overnight, teaching Bible studies, tutoring inner-city children, having the neighborhood’s “funnest” home, and much more.
Saying yes to God dictates saying no to lots of other things, monitoring every commitment with eternity’s values in view. But Mary has done that for decades, and the most impressive part is that she didn’t waver when God asked her to say yes to cancer.
We may think she didn’t have an option, since cancer came without her knowledge. A yes-or-no decision wasn’t required. But in response to learning about it, she could have lashed out in anger against God, or been consumed with self-pity, or become jealous of others who don’t have cancer, or said “Why me?” Instead she’s handled her diagnosis with grace, managing her fears and doubts by leaning harder into Scripture’s promises and working to take them at face value.
My many blog posts about Mary might be thought of as adding pressure to her already high-pressure health situation. But because it’s Mary, I know it won’t. Long ago she willingly took on the role of being a good example; and it began way back… the minute she got me as a younger sister.
My greatest hope is that I’ll be looking up to her example of saying yes to God for many years to come.
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10)
Mary’s prayer requests:
- That in the next 11 days before surgery her body will absorb food better so she can gain the weight she lost
- For assurance from God daily that he is close to her and caring for her
- That she will be cautiously optimistic and simultaneously realistic in her expectations
The posted photo of you looking up to (at) Mary is priceless.
You both are so blessed, to have each other, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
But the first picture. That’s it! That is the most blessed and amazing picture I have ever seen of Jesus the Christ. Matt. 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” That is the picture Mary would want us all to remember and depend upon.
And you are saying yes to God daily, Marni – sacrificing hours and hours of your time as you write post after post of words from God. Because of your willingness to be used by Him, Mary’s wonderful life of service is blessing all of us all over again! I’ll be including the three requests in my prayers for her this weekend.
Thank you for the specific prayer requests you put at the end. I am praying them – and many others are too.
The chorus of a song we are singing at church:
I’ll say, “Yes, Lord, yes!”, to Your will and to Your way,
I’ll say, “Yes, Lord, yes!”. I will trust You and obey.
When Your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I’ll agree,
And my answer will be, “Yes, Lord, yes!”.
(by Lynn Keseecker)
I never knew Mary but the things you have shared about her tell that she has shared her love with many people and has impacted many for Christ. Many times in my journey I ask why but the following verse that was shared with me thru a friend recently has been one that I seem to keep reading a lot lately. Romans 11:33 “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How in searchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out”.
we pray for Mary
Today, the day we received some of the worst news of our lives, is the day I needed to be reminded about saying yes even when you don’t have a choice about the events but you do have a choice about how you accept, react, and turn to the Lord. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Mary .We have been praying for you and will continue to do so .So many of our friends are going through this we can hardly believe it. But God is good and He is the great Healer .He says ask anything in my name and l will do it. So we are praying that for you .Let us know how you are doing. Love you Wally & Barb Fuja .