I often talk about having the privilege of being part of the spiritual stories of the children in our lives. My prayer is that in ten, twenty, or thirty years from now, there will be men and women who are followers of Christ as a result of us investing in their lives. So many times I think about the people who pointed me towards Jesus Christ. I think about the people who modeled what it means to be a follower of Christ. I think about the people who have a part in my eternal story.
Mrs. Myrtle Bowden was one of those people in my life.
As we celebrate the life of Mrs Myrtle, there are so many memories that flood my mind. My mom would ride with Mrs. Myrtle on her church bus route while she was pregnant with me. Mrs. Myrtle’s daughter, Tiffany, was one of our best friends. We spent many summers swimming in Granny Vivian’s pool! She kept me in the nursery and thirty years later she was keeping my babies in the nursery! Mrs. Myrtle was intertwined in so many parts of our lives. From being a chaperone at GA camp to VBS to driving the church bus to youth camps to home missions to foreign missions. When God was molding my heart, when I was building my spiritual foundation, Mrs. Myrtle was walking alongside me and investing in my spiritual life.
In December, I visited with Mrs. Myrtle in her home. Even in her sickness, she assured me that she prayed daily for me and my family. I sat there humbled that during her illness with cancer she was interceding for me. I am grateful for her prayers, love, and encouragement.
With a little bit of encouragement from my dad, Jason Husband’s high pitched voice has called me “Myrtle” more than one time. I am often accused of being a little bossy just like Myrtle. I think Myrtle would agree with me that if everyone just did things exactly how we want it done then we wouldn’t have to be so bossy.
I have thought about so many words to describe Mrs. Myrtle. Loved Deeply. Served Selflessly. Always on the Go. Feisty. Multi-Tasker. Consistent. Mama Bear. Leader. Teacher. Prayer Warrior. Encourager. Studier of His Word. Doer of His Word. Steadfast. Faithful. Believer. Follower of Christ. Passionate. And Sometimes…Bossy.
There are hundreds of children who are being told about the love and salvation of Jesus Christ because of Mrs. Myrtle’s investment in my spiritual life.
We will celebrate Mrs. Myrtle’s life today .
And one day we will join Mrs. Myrtle in worshipping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—In the blink of an eye!
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’ ” John 11:25-26
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 