Mother's in Israel

As a young girl nearing the teen years my mother stopped going to her church in town because my father complained about traveling seven miles to town when there was a church “in our back yard”, as he would say. It was actually about a half mile the way the crow flies but a mile by car. So Dad would take us to this nice country church and drop us off.
 

As a child living in a nominal Christian home I was at a cross roads, spiritually speaking. I needed a Mother in Israel. This phrase is not used much in our modern vernacular. To me it means a woman who shares her life and love with a needy person. A woman who leads by example. A woman who invests her time and energy into helping, encouraging, and praying for a lost, needy soul to come to a fullness of knowing Christ and to help them know how to live for Christ here on earth.

The phrase, Mother in Israel comes directly from Scripture in Judges 5:6-7 where Deborah identifies herself as a Mother in Israel. This happened after a great military victory led by Deborah. Jubilation gives rise to a song, which celebrates the exciting events and captures them for posterity. You can read more of the Old Testament story in a blog by Michael D Green Jr. here.

As a teenage girl my Sunday School teacher was Hazel Wise. Class was held in the last pew on the left side of the sanctuary. A large class of adults used the right side of the sanctuary. So we girls would sit in the last pew and Sister Wise would stand in front of us. She was so nice and sweet. She taught us how to pray by having us pray sentence prayers. That was less formidable or threatening. She was an awesome teacher mostly because we knew she cared. She loved us. It was Sister Wise who asked me one night in revival if I wanted to go to the altar and become a Christian. It was that opening of a window into my soul that God finally penetrated that night as I was laying in my bed. He wouldn't let me sleep until I said Yes to Him. Sister Wise's influence and friendship continued into my adult life and she was the caterer for my wedding reception!

Carol Ogburg and her family were neighbors to my parents and when I came home from college for a visit Mother told me I should get to know her. Carol was not much older than me but she was wise and caring, plus a lot of fun. She was a Mennonite who lived her faith everyday and she took me in under her wing. She taught me many things and we did lots of projects together. She was a listening ear to me during my engagement year and helped in wedding planning. She and her husband hosted the rehearsal meal since my in-laws were from out of state. Carol went to be with the Lord way too early. She was 39 when she lost her battle to ovarian cancer. She took many of my secret thoughts and struggles to heaven with her. She was a wonderful friend and perhaps even a Mother in Israel to me!

Eleanor Slagenweit and her husband were deacons at their church when we were pastoring our first church at Canoe Creek Brethren in Christ near Hollidaysburg, Pa. I am not sure how we first got acquainted but we connected. She was so caring and had a great listening ear. She made me feel welcome to go to her home and spend a good part of a day with her. We would often do something like canning fruit or vegetables while we talked. Well, I talked and Eleanor listened. But then she would give good council and pray with me. She was just what a young new pastor's wife needed. And she was also a good “grandma” to our babies too. She kept our one year old son when I was in the hospital with our newborn daughter. This friendship continued over the years and Eleanor and Mark had become the pastoral couple at Canoe Creek a little while before we began pastoring in Altoona, a few miles away. So now we had fellowship and connections as pastoral couples. We enjoyed many good times in their home and appreciated their friendship. Five years later we finished pastoring at Altoona and actually attended Canoe Creek church for a year and now Mark and Eleanor were our pastoral couple. Eleanor was my rock in a troubled time and I could call her or visit with her and she would give good council and pray with me.

There were a few more that I could mention, like Leah Young, a Bible teacher, prayer warrior and friend to many. Barb Wirrick was a peer, but she was always ready to offer help when needed. I spent many a day sitting at her kitchen table talking and trying to figure out life, love, and me! Norma Horst, is an encourager and confidant; whom I refer to as my Forever Friend. Of all these women, Norma is the only one still living and she is the proof reader for my blog.

So, do you have special people in your life that have been a Mother in Israel to you? Give special thanks to Jesus and to them for speaking into your life. Have you ever thought about what an influence and Kingdom builder you can be as you give your time and heart and invest in the spiritual lives of people?

I am so thankful for all these ladies that were in my life. I am rich in friends and in all these women who have gone on to their heavenly reward. Now it is my turn to pay it forward and invest in women who need an encouraging word or hug or comforting hand on their shoulder. It is my turn to tell them of the victory that can be won through Christ. It is my turn.