Women of Valor

Two ladies I love

From time to time it’s good to shout out to some of the dear people in your life.  Today I want to take an opportunity to recount the story of two dear friends, Wanda Pickett and her daughter Maureen.  These two ladies have been a part of my life for a long time, and I am thankful for their friendship, their encouragement to me and their own courage in the face of adversities.

Although Maureen in quite soft-spoken, she uses Facebook to voice the things she would be unwilling to say in front of people.  She has faced her cancer with courage, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been afraid—she’d be the first to voice her fears.  She has not let those fears overcome her or defeat her.  She has built her life on the Rock of our Savior Jesus Christ, and she has found Him a firm foundation in the trial of her illness.

Maureen’s illness has been a tremendous test of faith for Wanda too.  Maureen is her greatest treasure here on this earth.  I was so moved by her testimony months ago about how the Lord was dealing with her in this test.  She had moved into a home next to Maureen not long before Maureen was diagnosed with cancer.  She said that she had never fully unpacked her items because she was sure that she would have to move in with Maureen in order to care for her.  But after many months and Maureen’s improving health the need to move in with her never materialized.  Wanda said the Lord spoke to her and said, “When are you going to get on with living your life?”  That was when she knew it was time to unpack her things, hang her pictures, and buy some new furniture.  So she did.

What a testimony they have both been to me of grace in the face of adversity!  I am so thankful for the words they have shared and for their faithfulness in clinging to the only hope that any of us have, Jesus, Lord of all.

Eshet chayil, Wanda and Maureen, you are women of valor!