|
Meet These Three Widows
The Bible tells us that, if we
are watchful and prayerful, nothing comes upon us unawares. I know
this from personal experience.
In January 2004, before I
became a widow, I began to meet some very interesting widows. They were
older women with great wisdom. One of them was Mother Melissa Davis,
aka Mother Ruth. Mother Ruth was 93 years old at the time we met. I met
Mother Ruth in a nail salon where she had a standing, that’s right,
standing appointment for every two weeks to get her fingers and toes
groomed. Mother and I hit it off right away. I told her, “Mother when
I grow up I want to be just like you.” From that day to this, she calls
me “Baby Ruth.” Mother Ruth travels a great deal. Much of her travel is
because she is sent for by large churches that want her to minister to
them. Mother Ruth has outlived two husbands. The last time she got
married she was 80 years old
The
second widow I met was Mother Ennis Byrdsong. Mother Byrdsong, age 85,
has a perfect size 10 figure. She also has a personal fitness trainer
and attends the fitness center at least twice a week. Mother Byrdsong
is a nutrition specialist and takes absolutely no prescription
medicines. She has written two books: her autobiography and a
wonderful book on nutrition. Mother Byrdsong has a beau. He’s 90 years
old and she says he has perfect vision. Doesn’t even need reading
glasses, so she says.
The
third widow I met was Mother Ruthie Tate. Mother Tate came to me
because she wanted to write a book. She was 79 at the time. Her
birthday was coming up and she wanted to release her book by her 80th
birthday, which she did. The title of her book is God Made Morning Just
For Me. She had her book signing at her 80th birthday party.
Needless to say, I found these widows to be intriguing. I was learning
so much from them. So much so that in February of 2004 I came home one
day from visiting one of them and said to my husband, “Somebody needs to
start a ministry and name it Widows With Wisdom.” My husband and I
laughed when he said, “Well it won’t be you. You’re not a widow.”
Needless to say, one month later he was diagnosed with fourth stage
cancer. That was in March. In July he left for his heavenly home. And
look at me now.
As I
said in the beginning, God prepares us for the future. If we are tuned
into His voice, nothing will surprise us.
In
August, one month after Rev. Edwards’ departure, I had a support group
meeting in my living room with about 15 widows present. It was easy to
see that we needed a bigger place. Thus, we started meeting in the
backroom of a local restaurant. In a short time, we outgrew that space
as well. We now meet in a Southfield, Michigan community center.
God has
already begun to enlarge our territory. In January we will help
establish a sister group in Flint, Michigan.
For more information, please call (313) 341-4487, or email Minister Mary
Edwards at edwardsmd@sbcglobal.net
|
