From the Archives: Summer 2011

Written by Betty Russell

I was nine years old when I asked Jesus into my heart to save me. As a child, I struggled with my salvation until I was twelve. At the age of twelve, I was baptized and became a member of my family’s church.

Over the past few years we have been seeing just how faithful God is and how He has blessed our family. My mother, Martha Jean Greene, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. She initially went through surgery, chemotherapy treatments and a time of remission. The cancer returned along with more chemotherapy and a second surgery this week in Chapel Hill.

Mom’s faith in God remains strong and her attitude during this time has been “either way, I’m a winner”. God has also used this time to teach me how to minister to other people who may be going through the same thing.

Facing Life with No Fear Pleases God

“Life-things” just happen. No one is exempt from things happening to them or the people they love and care about.

The day of Mom’s most recent surgery, my morning devotion focused on fear. God’s Word tells us to “Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not in your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6. We don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring but facing the day without fear is pleasing to God.

I am so thankful that God puts people in our lives to comfort and support us through prayer, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness. I am also thankful for the blessing of family, my husband, my children, and my church family. God doesn’t want us to go back. He wants us to go forward in faith and living hope with an unconditional commitment to Jesus Christ.

Modeling Christ’s Love to Young Women

Mom has shown me since I was a child the kind of Christian model I am to be for the young women God has put in my life. Mom’s life in Jesus has that taught me how to love my husband, my children and their spouses, and our grandson Graydon! I want to be found praising Him no matter what comes my way because He is worthy!

God has allowed me to use what I’ve learned to minister to many people. Bud and I have a wonderful opportunity to serve as leaders in the Nearly Wed and Newly Wed Sunday School Class and share the same truth and comfort I’ve received from the Lord.

I love the Sunday School class and the opportunity to mentor younger women. God is faithful through the hard and the easy “life-things”.

He’s been faithful to allow us to remain with the Mount Vernon Baptist Church family for many years, and we love these people. Bud and I want to be found faithful in loving God’s people and unbelievers alike.

My life verse remains a continual encouragement to me: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NIV)