HEARTLIGHT(sm) Magazine: Just for Women: Miz Roof

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This article was written ten years ago by my wife Donna. The lady described here went home to the Lord this past week. Her life was not easy. She grew up in a home where her mother was sick from the time she was born and passed away when she was only 7 years old. Her family was very very poor and her father struggled with a drinking problem. She grew up and fell in love with a wonderful young man, only to have her early marriage traumatically disrupted by World War II. Thankfully her husband Joe returned safely and they built a wonderful Christian family. He would later serve as an Elder in a local congregation. When he died, she lost the love of her life, but she spent the last 15 years to giving young children what she did not have as a young child -- love, attention, and treats. We will miss her. She was precious to us. But we are thankful that she is precious to God and that we will see her again. Thanks Ruth, it won't be hard any more!

The phone rang as my three year old daughter was crying for another popsicle and my toothless eight year old was complaining of cold gums from the same icy treat. I breathlessly answered the phone, thinking that Mrs. Ward Cleaver would be more together than I in this circumstance.
The voice on the other end was that of an angel from God. My three year old calls her “Miz Roof.” Miss Ruth is the person our children run to after church services for various sweets and gum. I guess every church has one person like this, but ours is special, she also dispenses love and hugs freely.
Miss Ruth had called to ask if she could keep my “precious darlings” for awhile so that I could get out of the house and have some “me time.” Precious darlings is not exactly the phrase I would have chosen to describe my sticky and impatient children at that moment, but I didn’t want to argue with this angel of mercy.
I wasted no time accepting her invitation. I packed them into the car and headed off to “Miz Roof’s” house. Upon arrival, my children ran with open arms to this wonderful saint while I escaped with a “thanks,” and “I’ll be back soon.” Driving away, I experienced the “peace that passeth all understanding” that only a mommy could fully appreciate—quietness! No noise. No arguing. Sweet peace.

No noise. No arguing. Sweet peace.

Before I even became aware I was doing it, I found myself talking to my Father. As I talked to him, I was filled with thankfulness for the people who serve others quietly and selflessly. Miss Ruth will never fully know how thankful I am to her for loving my children and for loving me. She is an example of the silent servant who quietly and purposely serves others, not just in word, but in deed and truth.
Silent servants are a heritage from God, who trace their roots through every age of God’s people. Their legacy runs through the biblical record—Naomi, Hannah, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Onesiphorus, and Phoebe. These, and many other silent servants, are precious to God. They played an important role among his people, doing what their Father had called them to do—serve his family.
The daily function of the church depends on people who will serve each other. We must not devalue the essential contribution these godly servants provide to the life and vitality of God’s people. Our Father has promised he sees “what is done in secret” and will reward these special servants (Matt. 6:6).
I realize that I will never be able to fully thank Miss Ruth for all she has done for me and my family. I am comforted to know that God will, for I believe that he has added another name to his list of precious servants: “Miz Roof.”

This article is courtesy of Image Magazine and appeared first in December, 1988.