Mothers Tribute

Eulogy 
Levelia Ruth Jones Yoder

Our mother taught us so many things on this earth. She didn’t like movies or
watching TV and she wasn’t much interested in reading novels.  She liked sewing, cooking, working in the yard and keeping a neat clean house.  She loved spending time in hardware stores or anywhere else that had to do with building or remodeling.  And she loved praying.

She was taught to Pray at an early age.  She loved to talk to God and spend time in his presences. There was never a moment she wasn’t ready to stop what she was doing and pray. She rose in the morning praying and went to bed at night praying.  And if there was a prayer meeting during the week she would be there. Her very being yearned for her maker.  She has done battle in a world of spiritual warfare and won.  Today we celebrate with her as she gets her reward.  A woman of honor…a prayer warrior.

 Our mother didn’t tell us how to live our lives…she taught us how to live our lives.   She introduced us to our God and taught us how to equip ourselves with the whole amour of God. In her life battles she faithfully stood by our dad while his young, strong body deteriorated over a period of years.   She became the sole caretaker and supporter while praying every day for him.   Her prayers became His prayers.  When he passed it was HER prayers that were answered.  She knew he had made heaven.

  Her prayers were like a shield for a lot of us here.  It protected us when our
 defenses seem low or non-existent.  When we couldn’t even pray for ourselves.
 I remember after Justin got killed.  How many times I would just pick up the phone and say “mom ” and she would know I needed her to pray for me.  Her prayers were like suave on a wound I thought would never heal.  Her strength was my strength when I thought I couldn’t survive the pain.  Her peace became my calm when my emotions seemed uncontrollable.

Her love for Justin and Chi were beyond measure.  She taught them about God’sfaithfulness.  When they encountered their life crises and their dreams looked crushed she prayed with them and told them that God had a better plan for their lives ….just hold on.  Trust God.   And she would then blanket them with her prayers.  They both knew the power of Mamaw’s prayers.  Prayers that were mixed with a wave of praise and authority

How many times were her prayers a covering for you?   When I see who is here
today  I can say I heard many of your names called in prayer.  Mom was bringing your needs before her father.  Asking on your behalf.   Many times I heard her pray that she was “standing in the gap and making up the hedge.”    A hedge of protection around you or me or someone else that needed it.

Being a Christian is not for the weak.  It takes boldness, confidence and faith.   Life is a war zone.  The fiery darts of this world may wound us.  We may get knocked down… but death where is your sting? 

 A prayer warrior has been promoted today and Heaven is sweeter because my mother is there.   I believe Justin talked God into letting him meet his Mamaw as she entered that heavenly realm.   But I don’t think her joy was complete until she looked upon the face of the one who saved her, the one who created her, the one she prayed to her whole life.  What a thrill that must have been to enter into the holy presence of the Lord.

I will miss my mom…my best friend.  My PRAYER today… is to be just like my MOM.

                                                                 Loving daughter
  .                                                              Renae Johnson

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