Dedication…that was the headline of the article about my mom, Helen Brown, and her 50th anniversary of ministry at Trinity Baptist Church, in our paper this past weekend. The article and the celebrations held at Trinity were well deserved tributes for her steadfast commitment to the Lord’s work in Lexington. The weekend was wonderful. Several hundred people came to an informal roast kind of event on Saturday and a beautiful worship service on Sunday. I have pondered all week the things I saw and heard in those services. The words of several stick out…the older seminary professor that called my mom his mentor, the young minister of music that asked the church to put up a painting of my mother so we could truly see the face of Christ, those that called her “reverend mother” before women in ministry ever became a Baptist issue. The actions of many were a blessing to see…so many hugs and warm wishes, so many letters written, friends and family that came quite a distance to be with her at these celebrations. Personally, it was a very emotional and inspiring time for me. Just as the celebration in my dad’s memory was last year. I was raised in a home with very high standards in all areas. I was expected to do well in school, to behave and represent my family and my God well, to care for others by action not by lip service, to enjoy and experience life to its fullest. As an adult living close and working beside my mother I have to admit that those expectations as I see them have never lessened. The example that she has set for me to follow in her work is a daunting challenge. She is truly selfless and tireless. She is 78 and works as hard as ever at her jobs at Trinity and Milwards. She is always helping those in need and never ever expecting anything in return. She is a servant. She is the hands and feet of God.
