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| Marilyn Marsh Michael |
Happy 65th Birthday!
On May 3rd we celebrated my mom's 65th Birthday. I wanted to post something in honor of this special occasion.The following is an excerpt from an article that I submitted for a contest and was published in Christian Womanhood in January 2010:
"Many women sacrifice for the advancement of husband and children. Rare is the woman who offers home and talent not only for her husband and children, but also for the world beyond her front door. My mother, Marilyn Michael, has been that kind of woman. For 35 (now 37) years she has been the pastor's wife of the New England Baptist Church in Medford, Massachusetts. Leaving Chicago and traveling to Boston with her husband and two small children was an act of faith and obedience to God's will. Upon their arrival, my parents chose an apartment in Medford, five miles north of Boston, and began holding services in their living room...
Just as her child-rearing responsibilities were winding down and she was to become a grandmother, the opportunity to pursue international adoption arose. My mom supported my dad's desire to adopt and accompanied him to St. Petersburg, Russia, where she welcomed a Russian-speaking seven-year-old boy into our family. For the past ten years, she has embraced the challenges of rearing a son who was quite different from her other children.
As mother to five daughters (and 2 sons), she has spent countless hours listening to our struggles and identifying with them. Her words of praise and encouragement have strengthened us. I believe it is due to the prayers of my mom and dad and to the grace of God that we six grown children love God and serve Him in various capacities. My mom is a real person who does not present a facade. Her honesty about the struggles of life and the ministry has not discouraged us from the ministry, but rather has equipped us to serve God as well."
Yesterday, my mom spoke for the ladies brunch at our church. She shared her testimony of being led to Christ by my grandmother, Mildred Marsh, at the age of five. My mom then relayed to us that rarely a week goes by when she does not share her salvation testimony. I appreciate many things about my mother. One of them being her heart for lost souls. As a young girl, I accompanied her out door knocking where she shared salvation and reached out to many needy people. Not only did I learn how to reach out to others, but was, also, safely exposed to the wages of sin. I saw the broken lives and knew that was not what I wanted for my life. When I was 12 years old, I paired up with my sister and began knocking on doors and leading people to Christ on my own. Fifteen years later, I visit that same neighborhood sharing salvation. I am so thankful that my mom emphasized by example the importance of reaching other people for Christ. In the end, isn't that what matters most? I truly believe so.
My hope and prayer for my mom is that this next season of life brings much fulfillment and joy.
Happy 65th Birthday Mom!
