I want to tell you about a woman who influenced me.
My relationship with Lisa began when I was fifteen and she was in her mid-30's (same age that I am now) mothering her four children. She needed a babysitter and I was available.
Over the course of the following six years she had three more beautiful children.
Lisa allowed me into her home and life and without her trying, she allowed God to use her to prepare me for my own adult life as homeschool mommy to my own four children.
During those years, I graduated from high school, moved away, went to college and then bumped into her again about six months before my wedding. She came into the bank I was working at and our relationship was rekindled. She asked if I was available to babysit and I jumped at the chance to spend time with her and her family. Once I was married and off to see the world, I lost contact with Lisa.
Fast forward about seven years, I'm living in WA State, have two little ones of my own and I keep sensing that God wants me to get back in contact with Lisa on my next visit home to San Anonio, Texas, where she still lives.
Three years of "nudges" from The Lord to seek her out and meet with her and each time I went home, I kept thinking to myself, "Next time. Next time I"ll make time to go visit her."
I wanted to visit with her. I just knew she had so much wisdom to pour into me and I wanted to thank her personally for being a godly influence in my life all those years ago.
Finally, during my 2 month stay in Texas before I moved to Spain, I got online (I'd done this already, several times in the past and written her contact information down) to get in contact with her. I was so excited. I was now a homeschooling mommy to four kids and felt like I had so much in common with her. I had even named my last baby after one of hers, Annalise. I even spelled and pronounced it the same way because I had always thought it was so beautiful.
I wanted to know EVERYTHING I could from her lips about life, mothering, kids, everything. I wanted to spend a few hours soaking up her insight and thoughts and pray with her.
I excitedly scoured the google list of names that matched hers and all I could find was an obituary for someone with her same name. I kept bypassing it, thinking that wasn't her. But, finally, I clicked on it, confirming that this was indeed my Lisa. My influence. My missed opportunity. My Lisa died of a brain tumor, leaving her husband and seven children behind on this earth.
My tears flowed. Those three years that kept getting nudged by the Holy Spirit to contact Lisa were the very same three years that she had been battling a brain tumor. My wedding day, June 5, 1999 was the last time I would ever see Lisa. The book, Runaway Bunny, that she sent when Abigail was born in 2002 was the last time I heard from her.
I have this picture of Lisa in her front yard, talking to me and my parents with her ever present smile and encouraging words. One baby on her hip and another older one with their arms wrapped around her waist. She was content in her role as mother.
I spent countless hours with Lisa and her children. Most of the time, I was just there to help in the house. She rarely left me alone with the kids, except when her husband had work events or when they had date night with one child each month. Otherwise, Lisa was home too, available to her children.
I watched her bring baby number five into the family and without me knowing there was a name for it, she did the "Sleep, Eat, Awake" routine that I've used with my children. She didn't sit down and explain with words all the reasons why she parented and disciplined the way she did. She just lived her life and I watched. And, I was influenced. And, God was preparing me for the plan He had for my life.
I've learned that I should not ignore those gentle "nudges" to write a note or make a phone call or send an email. I am still really bad at this. A person will pop into my mind and I tell myself that I'll get to it later and I never do. But, sometimes, I get it right and sit down and call or write whoever God has placed on my heart.
Why can't I just obey Him EVERY time and not miss opportunities like I did with Lisa? Divine appointments I let pass me by.
I'm writing this because for some reason, Lisa and her family were heavy on my heart during praise and worship time in church today and throughout the day. I prayed for each of them. I said I'd write her husband and let him know how much Lisa meant to me and how much she taught me with her living her life in front of me. Recalling some memories I have of her and the children. But, I haven't. And, that was two years ago.
I am also reminded of God's great love and care for me to have placed Lisa in my life at the age of fifteen in preparation for my life as a homeschooling mommy.
Lisa, I miss you and I regret not following through on my nudge from the Holy Spirit to contact you sooner. What did I miss? I won't know this side of Heaven. But, I know my life is not the only one you touched during your 49 years on this earth. Our friend who attended your Memorial Service said there were people crowded in all over the room. People whose lives you had touched or influenced, just like mine. And, as you watched from Heaven, I picture you giving all the credit, all the glory, all the honor, to Jesus Christ.
To Lisa's children, you already know how godly, inspirational and loving your mom is. My prayer for each of you is that you lean into Him as you grieve and imitate her life until you see her again. I cannot imagine, nor are there words to say to comfort you for the loss of your mother.
Dedicated to Lisa Ann Lyles
