Brenda

Brenda loved the Lord and she gave testimony to it in many ways. I'm writing not because she was a "Saint" although she was, but only as we all are. Rather, it is because this congregation would not exist if not for her vision and generosity, and in all likelihood, I would not have been preaching the last eight years.

After my last pastorate, I considered finding an associate position so Loretta and I were searching for a congregation in which to serve as members. Brenda, along with some who are still with us, asked me to begin this congregation and she provided the funds to make it possible to operate, for at least a year, with some equipment and no debt.

She remained faithful to her pledge to do all in her ability to see that we became a viable congregation. She took on the ministry of providing food for whomever God sent to our door. When church funds were not present she supplied her funds over and over again, and she went the second mile by helping people with their utilities, auto repair, or gas, sometimes rent and other necessities. Most never had been to this church and they seldom returned to thank her or us, but that wasn't what mattered. If anyone honestly needed anything, at anytime and it was within her ability to give it she did so.

Sometimes we shared in helping, often we prayed and discussed if this was really the best way to do this work of the Lord. We always arrived at the same conclusion, Jesus said a man (no credentials) lay by the side of the road and he was our neighbor and that was what love was all about.

She helped those she knew, as well. Loans were made and following the Biblical model she did not require interest and, as far as I know, even paperwork. It was God's work and God would take care of it. She believed Paul when he said that if we spend sparingly we will reap the same way, but if we spend generously we will reap in the same fashion. Her spiritual gift was "generosity". Some would say she gave to a fault, but I would say she gave as the Bible teaches we all ought to give: unselfishly, generously, and happily.

Not everyone knows that Brenda had several health problems that gave her a great deal of pain. The perpetual smile and good spirits hid her hurt.

Often when churches have large donors they begin to be called, "So and So's Church". I never heard anyone ever say this was "Brenda's Church." She would never have thought of such a thing and so it has not occurred to others. But this is Brenda's church in sense that she loved it, was willing to sacrifice for it, and never ceased to speak of it's virtues to anyone and everyone she knew.
We have other very generous servants in our congregation, but during the 50 years I've ministered, I've never known anyone to give of their money and of themselves in quite the same way as Brenda. We will miss her dearly, and she left some large size, servant footsteps to follow. God always replaces what he takes from us with something we need more. I can't imagine what it will be, but His assurance can be trusted.





I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard His call,
I turned my back and I left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I've found that peace at the close of the day

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah, yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Author unknown


In memory of Brenda Stott
11/20/1946 - 3/02/1999