A Graceful Influence–Lucy Adams
***(Read to the end for a Give-Away!!!)***
To celebrate the release of dear writer friend Lori Roeleveld’s new release, Graceful Influence–Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible (Our Daily Bread Publications), I’m sharing about one beautiful Graceful Influence in my life. Though I’ve been blessed to have many (my momma Mary being at the top!), this woman has influenced me also over the years, and I’m very grateful.
Allow me to introduce you to Lucy, my Angel Mama!
*******
I like to say we met on a wing and a prayer.
Unlike the implication of this old adage, however, our friendship was blessed from the beginning.
More than three and a half decades my senior, this angel on earth was our pastor’s wife, but I didn’t first meet her in church. My initial encounter with Lucy Neeley Adams was via an article she’d written for our local newspaper, and I loved her from the start.
Lucy contributed regularly to our small-town paper. Her column, 52 Hymn Stories, was also the title of the book she’d authored (Abingdon Press, 2010)—a compilation of fifty-two hymns and the stories behind them.
The first time I read her column was near Easter 2005. She’d written about her older sister Margaret, sharing about her sudden passing many years before.
She also wrote about how she found comfort in the lyrics of C. Austin Miles’ hymn In the Garden, offering a bit of the story behind this song.
Not long after, we met face to face at church and were fast friends. While I’d love to say I’m special, Lucy has a way of making everyone feel cherished. With her southern drawl, she’ll proclaim as she envelops you in her embrace–
“Well, Sugar—I just love ya to pieces.”
One common interest between us, however—that which drew us closer, gave our friendship real purpose—was our passion for sharing God’s messages through written word. It was this kindred desire that gave us the courage to attend our first writers’ conference in 2005 just outside Asheville, NC.
After those few days learning and growing in our craft, as well as sharing late night whispers in our dorm room, we dreamed of starting a Christian writers’ group in our community
Our God-birthed dream became a reality in His perfect timing, and our writers’ fellowship began meeting monthly not long after. Although it started small, with only a handful of people, it grew over time.
Today, there are a dozen or more in attendance some months, and we’ve been blessed to have special guest speakers over the years—Cec Murphey, Cindy Sproles, and Andrea Merrell, to name a few.
Several years ago, Lucy moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. I miss her dearly but am thankful for her detailed emails and our occasional phone conversations.
She continues to be such an inspiration in my life, as she’s been an inspiration to many over more than eight decades. Her encouragement has given me confidence as a writer, and I currently contribute to the same small-town newspaper where we first met.
My correspondences with Lucy still begin, as they’ve always begun–
Dear Angel Mama.
After all, that’s what this wonderful woman of God is to me. She’s prayed me through the loss of a daughter, the ill-health of my husband, and through other seasons of sadness.
Yes, Lucy and I met on a wing and a prayer, and I’m thankful I’ll have eternity with her in the presence of the One she loves most.
I can hear her now, on that day when she meets Him face to face—
“Well, I’ve just loved ya to pieces!”
Then she’ll break into song, likely with autoharp upon her lap. At the top of her lungs, she’ll sing His praise—What a Friend we have in Jesus….
Indeed, He’s dearer to me today, too—largely because of my friend Lucy…
My sweet Angel Mama.
Dear Father, thank you for Lucy’s godly influence in my life and in the lives of many. Please continue to bless her and use her for as many days as she remains on this earth. And thank you, Father, for the promise of Heaven–where we can spend eternity right where we want to be… In Jesus’s presence. Amen.
***So, who’s been a Graceful Influence in your life? I’d love to hear. For those who comment, you’ll have a chance to win dear friend (and another Graceful Influence in my life) Lori Roeleveld’s new release Graceful Influence. I’ll draw one name from those who participate next Wednesday, March 12th.***
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The best, best, best sort of friend, Maureen. Even hearing about her and what she’s meant to you is a gift to my heart.
She’s an angel on earth! In her nineties, one day she’ll be home with Jesus, but then we’ll be able to spend Eternity together in Jesus’s presence! YOU are a Graceful Influence in my life also, and I am beyond grateful for you, dear friend!
A former pastor, Howard, was one of many ‘graceful influencers’ in my life. He shephered me through some difficult waters and decisions during difficult ministry seasons. He also firmed my theology through is sold teaching.
Oh, thank you for sharing about this Graceful Influence in YOUR life, Steve! He sounds like a HUGE blessing in your life–what a Gift! And here you are, continuing in the grace he passed on to you, being a Graceful Influence in the lives of others. Thank you for sharing!
Let me introduce you to another of Gods angels, Elise Elmore. From a young age she obeyed Gods call in service to Him as she played the piano in her small home church out in the country. A gentleman in the choir couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful young girl who Mesmerized the congregation as her fingers floated effortlessly across the keyboard. They soon married and he became the police chief in their hometown. Blessed with nine children Elise lived her testimony daily before her children. Afflicted by arthritis of the spine, which confined her to a wheelchair, never diminished her love for God. Miraculously Elise became my grandmother by adoption when I was five years old. We spent hours together singing hymns as she played the piano with me and reading Jesus’ words written in red of His love for me. I am who I am because of her testimony and love to me.
Oh, you KNOW how much I love this story of a Graceful Influence in your life, dear friend!!! Thank you so so so much for sharing! Brings smiles!!!
God is so good to bring his ANGELS into our lives. There have been so many over the years but today my grandmother comes to mind, my mother’s mother, Nellie. Her love for God, and us, her family was generous and constant, but it was her joy that couldn’t be contained that defined her. It spilled out of her as she sang hymns while washing a mountain of dishes, in her smiling welcome, and in her loving service. Thank you for reminding me how blessed I was to have known her and be loved by her.
What a blessing she was to you, and I’m sure you blessed her in return. What gifts these godly, gracious influences are in our lives and how very BLESSED we are because of them… even many years later. Thank you for sharing. And YOU are a graceful influence in my life! Thankful for you!
Maureen what a sweet story of a Godly influencer. I’ve had many in my years. As a young teen–Mrs. Sawyer a widow who owned the little neighborhood grocery. She knew my family for years as her store was on the same block where I grew up. She lived in a nice home downtown and always encouraged me and had high hopes that of my many siblings I would have a better life and perhaps go to college. I was the youngest of 11 kids. And your question has brought back a special memory. Books!! The only books I had were from the library and I would walk two miles alone usually to inhale the aroma of waxed library tables and read books especially in the summer to get out of the heat. If I smell magnolia blossoms to this day I’m a child again at the library that was surrounded outside by the waxy green leaves and smooth blossoms. Not to get sidetracked but the first visit to Mrs. Sawyer’s home explains. Books and more books were stacked everywhere on any available surface in her home particularly her living room. She could sit in her chair with arms like an octopus picking up a book with all tentacles! There were heavy books with glossy photos and thick hardback novels and more. Had she offered I would have picked up everyone to peruse! She always had words of encouragement and took an interest in my art and music endeavors then. Another occasion she took me to her summer cottage one weekend. And there were more stacks of books and my other fave a waterfront view! But her kindness and encouragement I long remember.
Oh friend, I read this with tears in my eyes. Such description– I’m there, in the library, in her home, and with you on your walk, smelling magnolia. SO beautiful! And what a gift Mrs. Sawyer was to you and now to us! To ME!!! Thank you! So so beautiful!
I’ve also been abundantly blessed to be able to call Lucy a friend. Like you, she has prayed me through the most difficult days of my life. I miss her so much. Thank you for reminding me that it’s time for me to touch base with her!
Oh, friend–I know she means the world to you too. She is miraculous that way–always enough of her to go around, no matter how many may be standing in line! She’s a gem! Thank you for sharing. And yes–reach out! She’d be so tickled!
Maureen, what a wonderful tribute to Lucy. Thought I’ve not been privileged to know her personally, I know of her influence in our community. And I didn’t realize it was the two of you who actually raised our Christian Writers Fellowship from a seedling to the sturdy sapling that it is now. Bless you both!
Yes, her ripple runs far and wide! And what a joy to see what God did with little-girl-like whispers in the dark at BRMCWC all those years ago! Love you, friend. YOU are a GRACEFUL INFLUENCE in my life and in the lives of many, as well! Blessed by you!
Thank you, everyone— for contributing to this particular “penning pansies” post. Was so wonderful to hear all you shared, particularly those men and women who have been graceful influences in your life. The winner of the book by Lori Roeleveld is…
Julie Meyer! ❤️