Mama

There is a woman who has prayed for me by name every day of my life. There may be more people who do that for me, but I know of the one because she reminds me every time I talk to her. She has three sons, three daughter-in-laws, twelve grandchildren-all save three of whom are married and, unless I’ve lost count, twenty-four or five great grandchildren. She could tell you all of their names, because she prays for each of us by name every day.

Mama was just a child when her family traveled to the boomtown mining settlement of Borger, Texas to visit relatives. They never left, and she has lived there to this day. Just a little life in a small town that few will ever know exists. Yet her impact is vast. There are hundreds of people who list her as an important influence on their lives. I have a history book of a church in Borger that repeatedly mentions her name, chapter after chapter. It is a true-life example of the sort of impact a individual can have on the world, much like that “capra-corn” story “It’s a Wonderful Life” depicts. And all of her children and grandchildren have grown up following her example, not just to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but to help others do so as well.

Happy Birthday, Mama! You have made such a wonderful difference in so many lives!