Remembering Mrs. T

Two weeks ago I found out that my college choir director's lovely wife of 45 years had passed away.  Her death was sudden and unexplained.  

This news was so shocking.  Billie Sue Thompson, affectionately known as "Mrs. T", was only 67 years old.  But really, she was 67 years young.  A decade ago I might have considered 67 to be old, but not any longer.

Mrs. T was so full of life.  And by life, I mean in the fullest sense: overflowing with joy, passion, and peace.  Hers was a life that personified grace and wisdom. Her laugh was contagious and her smile was genuine, able to make anyone feel comfortable.    

The years I knew her were 2000-2004 when I was in the Women's Concert Choir at Moody Bible Institute.  Mrs. T. was truly like a second mom to all of us 50+ women in choir.  We all loved that she traveled with us on our tours. 

As the news of her passing came, a whole flood of memories from my wonderful years in choir came as well.  It made me miss her so much, miss Mr. T, miss singing, miss Robbie (our faithful bus driver), miss the camaraderie and fun memories, miss so many things. 

My heart is mostly saddened for Mr. T, the love of her life.  The man who would act giddy at the mention of his wife or in her presence.  The man who seemed not quite himself without her.  It was always so very evident how much they loved each other.  What a testimony to all of us that married love could continue (and actually deepen) even as one aged. 

As a wife now, I can understand more fully what it takes a woman to lay down her desires in order to follow and support her husband.  It's not easy sometimes and I realize that I saw consistently in the 4 years I was in choir a woman who did just that.  I can imagine it wasn't a small sacrifice sometimes to go on tours and be by Mr. T's side.  And yet, you wouldn't even know it if it was because there were only words of encouragement, grace, and thanksgiving on Mrs. T's lips.  Not words of complaining or resentment.      

I'm thankful for the short years that I got to spend around her and for the things she taught me (and she probably didn't even know she did).

She will be dearly missed.

Today is the memorial service in her honor.  Yet, I'm sure much of the service will be characterized with honoring Christ, her Savior, whom she loved and served.  My heart is there as I continue praying for Mr. T and his family during this time.  May they rejoice in hope as they grieve together and celebrate a beautiful life.  She is truly more alive than she ever was! 

     

These past few weeks as I've thought a lot about Mrs. T, who she was and all that she meant as a friend, mentor, wife, mother, etc. I've also thought a lot about life and death.  How quickly our lives are over and without warning many times.  

1 Peter 1:24-25 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

As a new life is developing inside of me I can't help but think about where this little baby will be years down the road.  What kind of person will he or she become?  What was Mrs. T like as a young girl toddling around like my Emily does now and what was she like as a young teen or a newly married woman?

What is certain is that God is the author of life and He numbers our days.  Praise Him that He also paid a great price to make a way that we who believe in Christ may have true, full, eternal life with Him.  That's better than any of best life we could have on this earth.  

"In death, in life I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love!  My debt is paid, there's nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love!" 

- Jesus Paid It All (by: Kristian Stanfill)