Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

Margie (8/14/94)

She's been away nine years exactly, yesterday. On August 13, 1985, a drunk driver plowed head-on into my stepmother's car, killing her instantly. Although time has healed much of the wound, it's always a bit more tender around this time of year. The events of that tragic night are freeze-framed into my mind: The voice of my best friend calling out the bad news in a dark, drizzly Ohio campground. The clenching & screwing of my fists deep into my eyesockets in an attempt to push back the news. The long distance phone call to my dad, & for the first time in my life hearing him cry. The sudden reality that never again would we discuss the Bible together or encourage each other's walk with God.

You see, she & my dad had begun investigating the Christian Church after my conversion in 1979. The change in my life was so drastic, they wanted to make sure I wasn't involved in a cult or something! What she found instead was grace, & a sure foundation for a life that had been in desperate need of one for many years. There was no doubt her coming to Christ was real. She wrestled with the demands of Scripture, & really wanted God to transform her character. She discovered the peace that came from forgiving her adulterous ex-husband & his mistress. She memorized many Bible verses, even though she was dyslexic & found it terribly frustrating. She learned how to talk meaningfully to God in prayer, & rose early every day to make time for that in her busy schedule. She discovered the joy of teaching little ones in Sunday School, and in fact, was returning from a Sunday School "Kick-Off" meeting the night she was killed.

I miss Margie- alot. She wasn't perfect, but she was authentic. A worthy goal for all of us; a treasured memory for me.


Jim Dewar --