Mickey’s Story

My mother’s foster cousin died recently and we attended her funeral at the Baptist Church in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. When we arrived for her funeral service on a cold January morning, we were amazed to see the parking lot full of cars. We knew we were the only ones arriving from our side of the family. Once inside we waited in line for over 30 minutes to connect with her son. Who were all these people? Later we learned that many were relatives on the other side of her family, and a good number were members of her church and the community.

While she only had one son, we learned that Mickey was known as “Mom,” “Ma,” “Grandma,” or “Grandma Mickey” by most everyone in town. The pastor told a wonderful story about taking the youth group Christmas caroling just a few weeks prior. When they arrived at her house, all of the teenagers jostled for position on the little porch of her trailer because they all wanted to ring the bell and get a Grandma Mickey hug! We also learned about the missionary student from China who called her his “summer mom,” because he lived with Mickey and her son during his summer breaks from college.

Mickey was described by the congregation gathered there as a compassionate, non-judgmental believer who always had a smile for everyone. Her life had been tough from the beginning. Yet instead of being bitter and angry, she chose to offer God a giving heart that was humble and loving. She lived as a steward of all the mysteries of God. She offered all of who she was, and all of what she had, in gratitude for the love she received.

Sometimes we think stewardship is just about money. Mickey reminded me once again that it’s not just about money. Stewardship is about how we live the Good News of the love of Jesus Christ every day.

-Rev. Jean Ehnert Nicholas, Wisconsin Annual Conference

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
www.UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications
lcarey@umcom.org

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