My Naomi

A particular day in the middle of summer has a special meaning for our family. July 14th, 1995, we packed everything we owned: three little boys and a long-haired Chihuahua. We left our home state of Iowa and moved to Oklahoma. Although we had found a duplex to rent, my husband didn't have a job there. We knew absolutely no one who lived there. But, we did know that, without a shadow of a doubt, we were to be part of a large ministry in Tulsa.

I remember very distinctly the gamut of emotion that pulsed through my heart. The excitement of the adventure of a new home, new state, and the thrill of joining a world-renowned ministry. But also the sadness that accompanies saying goodbye to family and friends.

I also remember the tear-filled eyes of my mother-in-law, Evelyn.

We lived just two blocks away from my husband's parents. My father-in-law was retired but had a little part-time job. He faithfully worked four nights a week.

Evelyn would often walk down to our house on those nights and visit. When she arrived, she inevitably would find our three-year-old son sitting in his high chair, playing with his unfinished plate from supper. Evie would say, "Come on, Danny, I'll help you finish so we can go outside and push you in the swing."

On her way home from the grocery store every week, Evie stopped at our house to drop off two gallons of chocolate milk for the boys.

When my husband and I were first married, there was no such thing as a cell phone. Everyone had landline phones, and any phone call out of town cost a certain amount per minute. I had a lot of questions as a new wife, but my mother lived seventy-five miles away, and I could not afford to call her. So, I'd pick up the phone and call Evie. Every single time I asked a question, her reply was the same. "Well, Honey," she'd say. "This is how I do it, but you do whatever you think is best."

One day, when we were at my husband's parents' home, the conversation turned to food and a meal I had attempted to make. My husband said, "Why don't you make it like my mom?"

That typically sweet, mild-mannered lady spun around, pointed her finger at her son, and said, "Don't you EVER say that to your wife again! This is her house, and she'll cook how she thinks best!"…That moment will forever be in the highlight reel of my life.

 "Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble,

So that they will wisely train the young women to be [a]sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children,

To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited)." Titus 2: 3-5

There's an attribute that Evie had that stands out far above the rest. Evie loved her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She modeled the Christian faith daily. There was never a time that I saw her having "a bad day." It's not that bad days didn't exist for her; it was just that she chose to see good in the midst of them. Every time I saw her, she had a smile and a kind word.

In my mind's eye, I can still see her kneeling at the altar of the Sunday night service in our little small town church. Quietly, softly, I could hear her prayerful petitions for her family, the community, and our country.

 "As for me, this is my promise to them," says the Lord. "My spirit, which is upon you, and my words, which I have placed in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and descendants from this time forward," says the Lord." Isaiah 59:21

As the years passed, I realized my husband and I did not move to Oklahoma for us…We moved for the three little boys sitting beside us in the moving van…We moved for three incredible young women who would one day become our son's wives…We moved for the most beautiful grandchildren on the planet…We moved to fulfill a purpose that would affect the lives of many generations to come.

"The Lord grant that you may find a home and rest, each in the house of her husband! Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud." Ruth 1:9

There's a beautiful story in the book of Ruth. It begins with three women. Naomi was the mother-in-law to Orpah and Ruth. All three women became widows. Naomi was going to return to her people in Israel. Orpah and Ruth were from Moab, so Naomi told them to return to their families.

"…they wept loudly. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her… Ruth replied, "Stop urging me to abandon you! For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will become my people,

and your God will become my God." Ruth 1:14 &16

The relationship between these three women was very close. It was more intimate than a blood-kin relationship. It is an example for us all.

" Train up a child in the way he should GO [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Evie had tears in her eyes the day we left. But she knew God had a plan for our lives beyond our quiet, comfortable existence surrounded by family and friends.

Evie let us go…My husband was her only son. Our boys were three of four grandchildren (and the fourth lived hundreds of miles away in Ohio.)

Setting aside her personal feelings, Evie encouraged us to follow our God-given vision. She knew the day would come when she would see her Jesus face to face. Part of her legacy would be found in the children she raised to follow the King of Kings.

That legacy continues in our sons, their children, and the children to come.

Our sons are grown now. They are married with families of their own. They love God and are right in the middle of God's assignment for their lives…

I look in the mirror and realize that I have huge shoes to fill. Evie was the cream of the crop. One of the most genuine people I have ever known. I thank God for the privilege of knowing her…and for the son she gave to be my husband.

How about us, my friends? No matter what stage of life we find ourselves in, what legacy will we leave? Who's life will we impact today, this week, this year?

Will we give the good word? Will we point someone to Jesus and then have the courage to say, "GO,"…or will we selfishly keep our loved ones nearby and close..because "goodbye" is just too hard for us.

As for Evelyn, she went home to be with several years ago.

With all confidence and boldness, I know the first thing Jesus said to her: "Well done, good and faithful servant! …Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23