"Give Me the Heart of a Servant"

    It's Wednesday evening Bible study.  Looking down and across the table my eyes stop to take in a lovely sight.  Sitting there are an infant and his great-grandmother; each enjoying the other, content.  You might think that this is nothing special...But you see, this is Mary...and to those who know her Mary is very special.  You see, Mary has been battling cancer for several years now.  These have been years of extreme highs and lows.  On more than one occasion doctors have alluded that there is no hope, but Mary proves them to be mistaken.  And throughout it all she has maintained the blessed heart of a servant.

    Like tonight.  As her granddaughter and husband are involved in a personal Bible study, Mary sits with her infant great-grandson.  This is not an easy task given her health status. 

    I recall another day, as a few of us were visiting her in a Pittsburgh hospital, a particular conversation.  It was the beginning of the school year and the discussion turned to the difficulty we were having finding someone to pick up my 6 year old grandson at the bus stop and keep him until his mother got off work.  As Mary lay there with various medical paraphernalia attached, weakened because she had not been able to eat for several days; she looked at me and said, "As soon as I get home and on my feet I can watch him."  Amazing!  At a time when so many of us would be self-absorbed in our circumstances, Mary desired to serve.

    One other example of Mary's servant heart comes to mind.  It was a Wednesday evening.  This particular evening had been set aside to sort and fold through a mountain of clothes in preparation for our semi-annual giveaway.  An activity that had caused several to excuse themselves from being present this particular evening...and of those that were there, many of us were grudgingly going about our work.  Guess who was in the middle of it all, working away?  Even though she was undergoing treatments and was extremely weak...she served...willingly and without complaint...she served.

    Mary, God has called us to a life of servanthood...a "hood" that many of us do not willingly wear.  I thank God for your example, for your Christ-like spirit. (Philippians 2:7). Through your illness God has used you to teach us so much about being a faithful servant in all circumstances.  We are truly blessed by your presence.

-Jennifer Watson

Add this search to your web page