I think sometimes we have to pass a part of our lives by in order to see the scope of it. Like climbing a rock, you can’t see all of it while you’re climbing. Only when you pass it by – by getting over, around, or through it – can you look back and know how important that rock was to you.

People are much the same way. We take a lot of people for granted, just resting or leaning on them unconsciously while thy are next to us, but when we pass them by we begin to miss their support and companionship.

Around 6 PM last night Mrs. Mary Sprayberry fell asleep in the Lord. A great many people have now passed her by and miss her influence in our lives. ‘Miss Mary’ was a constant. Her gifts of servant-hood and grace were an unceasing, gentle encouragement to those around her. Our reunion with her will be greatly anticipated.

And as we have now passed by the rock that was Mary Sprayberry, we can see how God has shaped her and used her in our lives. As the wound is still raw, images continuously flood in recalling her life. As the wound heals, there will be a greater understanding of just what she meant to us- and a small piece of Miss Mary will be buried underneath each sealing scar.

Her work is done. Now the rest of us must carry on, finishing our own work. I can only hope that mine will be as meaningful as hers has been.

Be in prayer for her husband, children, and grandchildren who miss her.

(For those who don’t know, Mary was the wife of my youth pastor, Harold Sprayberry. Both of them have worked at my church since before I was born.)