Do we know Maxine? Fortunately we do. She has had many names over the years. Her first, for me, was Nellie Mae (Burke) Moon. She was my paternal grandmother and lived alone (widowed) on Rainbow Drive between Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa. As the oldest congregant in her church, she had laid more than one cornerstone for each new building project. Since she didn’t drive, she was dependent upon the city bus service to get to church on Sundays and Wednesday evenings.
In the fifties, when automobiles significantly replaced the city bus for most of her neighbors, the municipal powers decided to severely limit the service and exclude Sunday bus service altogether. They had already discontinued the inter-urban trolley which ran behind the property and she felt extremely threatened by further assaults on her only means of getting to church. Her decision was clear.
She went downtown to city hall and found the mayor’s office. She was informed that he was out for a while and might not return for an hour or two. Whereupon, she said she’d wait and went into his office, found a seat, laid her purse and umbrella on the floor and ignored his secretary when she told her she couldn’t do that. They were then faced with the problem of removing a ninety plus-year-old woman who had drawn herself to her full 5’1” height and was armed with an umbrella. Wisely, they decided to let the mayor deal with it.
When he “returned” in far less than the predicted hour or two, he was faced with a very determined constituent. She carefully explained the projected hardship the discontinuance of bus service would entail for her and her beloved neighbors on Rainbow Drive. It is reported that he attempted to explain the fiscal aspects of bus service but found no sympathetic ear. In wisdom, rare for any politician, he agreed to influence the council to rethink the changes. For lack of a more substantive argument, I attribute his change of heart to an act of Christian charity and not the presence of the ever threatening umbrella.
She was a “piece of work.” As a child I was privileged to be a frequent visitor and experience a woman who had an unequivocal love of the Savior. We used to describe such people as “salty.” Her King James Bible, worn, stained, and falling from its bindings was her constant companion. A physical connection to the Lord, Jesus Christ, it was always near at hand. Humor, caring, and wit were gifts she readily acknowledged and shared with others. Even as a child I had no question about where she stood regarding her precious Redeemer. He was her all. I freely admit that her influence and constant testimony were and continue to be a constant example to me.
As I visit my own and other congregations, I can easily see “Maxine” in the pews. Their ministry, since it often has an influence beyond even the priesthood, has a profound affect on the church as a whole. The seeds which they plant, through their faith, love and diligence, grow in the hearts of our youngest to become the strength of the church. May God bless them.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
1 comment:
My Maxine was Leona and Mildred and Pauline.
Sisters three, who lived together.
They defined loyal opposition and helped to form in my mind an appreciation of that quality of faithful living.
As a young priesthood member, I was ever under their watchful eye, receiving encouragement and counsel in equal doses. I always listened, thanked them for both and we rejoiced in the mutual respect that was born in our fellowship.
As the church changed, they never turned away, even in the midst of their sure disagreement with matters at hand. They were steeped in the stew of Supreme Directional Control so they had a long history of disagreeing, yet faithfully trusted that the Lord was guiding and leading. They never let their disagreement inure them to the surprise of God.
I was honored to preside at Mildred's and then Leona's funerals and be with Pauline as she took her last breaths.
I learned much from my Maxines.
Thanks for the memory jogs.
Blessings,
Matt
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