While I’ve always known she was a lover of people, pretty things, and Jesus (not necessarily in that order), it wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I realized how incredibly strong, courageous and committed she is. She’s a life-breathing momma to any young woman who gets within reach, and a truth-speaking encourager to all she encounters. While her wisdom and humility continue to astound me, it is her fierce love I am most grateful for.
Wife to my daddy, mum to my 3 sisters and me, and nana to our babies…this pastor and speaker will leave her mark on you, without a doubt.
Meet Mary…
What’s your story, morning glory?
Like Abraham, we have discovered that when God calls us to follow him, we find ourselves walking off our map, not knowing the when, the where or the how… just an invitation to trust his heart even when we can’t see his hand.
An invitation in 1982 took us away from our cozy life close to family and friends in Cape Town, South Africa to the neighboring country of Namibia. We said it would be for 2 years… but 13 years later another invitation took us further away; across the ocean to the mid west of the USA. 11 years after that yet another invitation took us to the geographical center of the state of Michigan: Alma.
I say “invitation” because that is what it is – an invitation to follow God in spite of what people may think and say (and they had a lot to say), regardless of what possessions and treasures you have to leave behind, and regardless of the unanswered questions we had about where, why and how.
What did you discover about yourself during this time?
I discovered that trusting God is both scary and exhilarating!
Scary because we haven’t a clue as to how he was going to work it all out, and exhilarating because his plans are WAY above ours, and he has a way to work our screw ups, failures and brave, bold choices into something that is beyond our dreaming… for everyone in the family.
What did you discover about God’s character through this process?
In choosing to trust his heart, we get to see the creative ways God meets every need in his way and in his timing, which is always perfect. He’s a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God! He’s for us and never against us. We get to taste and see that God is good – so very good.
What helped you most practically during this season?
No matter where we’ve gone, our first task has always been to link up with a church. To find people we could do life with whose heart was after God, not religion.
How has it shaped your passion or clarified your mission today?
In choosing to trust God, I had to know the promises in his word that I could stand on regardless of what my circumstances were telling me. To this end, I grew to really love and appreciate the word of God – and began to teach and encourage others with what I’d learnt. My passion is to know Him and make Him known.
What would you say to a woman facing a similar struggle or circumstance?
God has offered his presence for any and all situations … always choose to adventure with God rather than going solo.
If you could sum up your story in a few sentences, what would it be?
A quote by F.B. Meyer sums it up for me: “Your Guide will not keep to any beaten path. He will lead you through ways you would never have dreamed. He knows no fear, and He expects you to fear nothing while He is with you.”
Is there a favorite quote or scripture you have clung to?
The passage I’m in at any given time is always my favorite!
Two of my favorites are: Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, and Psalm 23:1, “Because the Lord is my Shepherd I have everything I need“.
What does the word hope mean to you, and what does it look like in your everyday life?
Hope is the anchor of my soul. Hope is essential in order for me to navigate the often stormy waters of life. As I choose to anchor my heart in who God says he is for me, and who he says I am in him, this is what gives me hope… every day.
What are two things you are loving right now?
1. Participating in the wonderful, creative and crazy lives that our children and grandchildren are living and watching them go further than we ever did!
2. More time for reading – Mark Batterson and Bill Johnson are 2 of my favorites!
Where can we find you online?
You can connect with me on Facebook: @awakentotheword and my website is Awaken to the Word
