My Mother...My Hero

My Mother … My Hero

On July 31, 1935, Miriam Chatmon (nee Alspaugh) was born. She was one of ten, but the unique thing about her birth was that she had two sisters who were born on the same day, Mary who was 6 years older and Rebekah was 12 years older.  Miriam grew up during the latter years of the great depression. She was frequently referred to as “Daddy’s boy” since she helped him with chickens and especially with the weekly cleaning of the coops. The family attended the small Alliance Church in the city, and Miriam came to full assurance of her salvation at Youth for Christ rally.  She intended to become a missionary nurse with her denomination, and began to pursue that path.  When she had, the physical required to become a nurse, the attending physician scoffed, “Your heart is too damaged … too enlarged. You will never meet the rigors of nursing.”  Yet, she did.  As for becoming a missionary, the Lord had other plans.  As she was finishing her training and beginning her career, two things happened. First, her older brother’s health began to deteriorate from advanced Crohns and other issues, and she was needed at home. Second, a young single man appeared on the scene and ultimately, they started dating. This dating/courtship led to marriage … his proposal was simple and direct, “Do you love me enough to marry me?”  She said, “Yes.” Questions and eyebrows were raised in the wake of this development, but it demonstrates a simple truth—Never question the leading of God in a person’s life who is committed to following Him.”

Mom and Dad continued following Jesus and pursuing God’s plan for their lives. They attended the small church where Mom had grown up.  I might add for clarification that Daddy had come to faith in Christ at a different Youth for Christ meeting, several years before Mom did.  Their passion was to serve those in ministry and to reach children who did not know Jesus. It was in this environment that I was reared.  Missionaries and other ministry leaders were constantly in our home, and my life is richer for it.  Amid this service mindset, mom’s body continued to weaken. Yet she loved her Savior, her family, her church and her friends. When her heart condition claimed her life or as I prefer to think of it released her to Heaven, my own heart was shattered.  Yet there are take aways from her life that have become my legacy. First, God oversees when we leave planet earth, not the doctors, not disease – but God.  Her life testifies to this as she had many times of critical illness when we knew the end had come, but God was in charge. Second, pain and limitations do not define us. If we have trusted Christ as Savior, then our identity is firmly in his care and control. Mom lived and worked with pain and exhaustion, but it was for God’s glory and in his strength.  Third, Mom loved completely and unselfishly. My goal and desire is to be half the woman of God that she was.  Fourth, I am more grateful then ever for the home of Heaven. Until then, I pursue life in Jesus and the knowledge of the Father and His will.  God is truly good all the time.