Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:25-26 NIV
“Do you believe this?” I asked Florence.
“Yes, I do,” she answered softly.
That quiet moment of faith came years after we first met. We had moved to Oregon from Nevada when I was eleven, and my mother met Florence, who, with her English accent and elegant style, became an aunt to me. She was in her forties when she and my mother became friends. They shared a birthday and a tenacious spirit. From the start, Florence was a mentor and friend to me. When I was a young teenager, she hired me to make signs for her second-hand clothes shop and taught me the difference between quality clothing and “rubbish.” She even attempted to teach me how to drive in her 1968 Ford Mustang. (She was particularly proud of this muscle car, so it was an honor when she let me get behind the wheel.) Florence took us to Shakespearean plays, brought us along on her shopping sprees, and taught us how to use a fork and knife “properly.” In many ways, she was my personal Mary Poppins, firm but kind, always encouraging, and she desired the best for us.
Fortunately, Florence and I stayed in touch even after I started my own family, and we moved from Oregon to New England. Our long (sometimes three-hour) phone calls are precious to me now, especially since she passed through the doorway to eternity and is sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Several years ago—long after our friendship began—we began talking about faith and God. It wasn’t always like that. She was raised by a Christian Scientist mother and was married to an atheist for two decades. Despite these experiences, her faith grew over the years as God opened her eyes and heart to His love and provision.
During this time, I prayed for Florence to come to know Jesus as her Savior. Because of her past experiences with “religion,” she was wary of church and more “spiritual” than Biblical. Yet, God answered my prayers and opened her eyes to her sin and her need for a Savior, Jesus. “Yes, I do.” She answered softly.
Not only did she believe, but she also read her Bible and introduced me to authors of old like Fenelon and his book, Let Go.
It has been a great privilege to pray for friends and family who do not know Jesus. Those who have not realized the magnificent plan of salvation God has laid out for them are walking in the dark, tripping over their own sin that binds them. But God has given you, His beloved child, a light. So then, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
In my experience, our light shines best in the stillness of prayer, in a listening ear, in encouraging words, and in kind deeds that go beyond what the average, unregenerate person would do. Jesus’ love is lavish, and He died not only for His friends but also for His enemies. Of course, I have not always been generous with my time. There have been phone calls I cut short, and times I let too much time pass before connecting with my friend. But the good news of God’s grace is that He knows our weaknesses. It is not up to us to save people, but it is up to us to love them as an offering to God. Pray, love, and have faith that God is working. It may take years or decades, but your seeds will bear fruit in others and in your own heart as well.
Now, I am especially thankful for Florence’s faith and her personal relationship with Jesus because she died this year on January 15th. In our last conversation, Florence expressed her overwhelming gratitude and love for God. I will miss my dear friend, our long talks, her wisdom, and stories of her childhood in WWII England. Her smile, support, love, and respect have meant the world to me.
God bless you in Heaven, my dear friend. I love you.
Father, thank You for sweet, lifelong friendships, for phones, and Your amazing grace. You are so good to Your beloved! You are the God who saves! I am grateful to know that my dear Florence is safe at home with You, probably sitting by a heavenly fireplace talking with Jesus.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NJKV)
Marlene McKenna
The author with her friend, Florence
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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