Goodbye Eileen...

...an acquaintance died yesterday of cancer. I didn't know her well, but my brief exchanges with her have left a lasting impression. I first met her at a local church in a Mother of Preschoolers program. They provided child care for an hour and half once a month, a craft, a devotional and fellowship time. I was thrilled to have time with other God fearing mothers in my own town. Eileen was the mentor mother of the group. One month, several moms and Eileen were sitting at my table, we talked about being overwhelmed by children,the house, ect... I expressed my frustration over the yard that seemed to be a foot deep in grass. Just before I left, Eileen said quietly to me, "my husband and I would like to come and mow your yard." I was moved that this stranger was willing to serve me. What a christ filled spirit. I didn't attend her church, she knew nothing about me (or the size of my yard)she only knew I had a need and she volunteered to fill that need. Isn't that the essence of Christ?

Several years later my children played basketball at this same church where I'd met Eileen. I looked for her and didn't see her. I knew her children were grown, it just wasn't a ministry she was involved in. There was a man who saw one of my boys acting unruly, and may have even been a bit rude to him (can you believe it!), I sort of overheard what transpired and asked him about it. He very politely and reluctantly told me what happened. He never scolded my son, he just suggested in a gentle way that the boy find his mother. After I reprimanded my son, I took him to apologize to this man. He was appreciative of the apology, and said it was rare to find an parent who encouraged apologies to adults. So a friendship began. Al is one of four sons and had a uncle who traveled a great deal on tug boats, he understood our family. He's a quiet and gentle spirit. I found out through the course of the basketball season that Eileen was his wife. I wasn't surprized. They matched and complemented one another so well. You can tell they love the Lord and live life as servants, not just believers. I had a chance to tell Eileen "how touched I was by her offer of service to mow my yard years ago", she didn't recall offering to help me. I didn't expect she would> She's that sort of person, who does nothing for selfish gain, it's who she is and who she belongs to and how she serves Him.

This season the first night of sign ups I got to see both Al and Eileen. She and I talked about her health, and family, and church. She was excited for her daughter who recently became engaged. She was open about her health and the uncertainty of it. She was accepting of whatever the outcome would be from her illness. She knows she's in God's hands. She just asks that something good for Him will come from it. Even in her death she is still ministering. What a beautiful life!