Macon

Today I wanted to write about another godly woman who has been a tremendous influence in my life. Just like many of the blessings that I count daily, Macon entered my life through my in-laws. My mother-in-law, Barbara, student taught under Macon's mother-in-law and then had Macon's husband, Paul, in her first class. The families have been fast friends ever since, and I'm so glad that I married into this friendship.

First of all, Macon would probably hate it that I named her at all. She is a woman who gives God credit for everything good in her life. Recently, God called Macon to a new mission field--her oncology office. She said to me, "My oncology office isn't a mission field that I would have chosen, but that's where my Jesus has sent me." At her last treatment, the nurses went on and on about what a wonderful patient she had been and that she was a favorite, etc. Macon said to them, "If you see anything good in me, it's only because of Jesus and the work that He has done in me." That answer sprung to her lips because of all the other mission fields where she has served--her neighborhood, the grocery store, PTA, as she visits her husband's work.... Macon has been intentional about recognizing God's call for her everywhere she goes.

God has also given Macon and Paul another mission field in a place of governmental power. Paul Newby is a supreme court judge in NC. In narrowing down the dozens of stories about Macon that I could tell to illustrate her influence, I decided one was most important to relate with this important week in American history.

On Tuesday we all will get the opportunity to vote. Before any of us decide we're too busy, or too tired or just don't care, we need to reflect on the awesome blessing of living in a democratic country. Just this weekend I wept as I watched thousands of starving refugees from the Congo rush a gate where aide workers were distributing food. Instead of starving in a country that is terrorized both by the government and guerrillas, I was watching this film on a tv, snuggled in my warm bed with a full stomach. I'm blessed to live in America. I don't take it for granted, and I will vote because it would be sin to be so ungrateful as to miss the responsibility that I'm given.

Macon was speaking to two friends in the grocery store a couple of weeks ago. These women were undecided about how they would cast their vote. Macon urged them to seek God's direction for their vote. Although we are not one-issue voters, God's Word is very clear on two issues that face us in this election--abortion and marriage. There are no perfect candidates, but the candidates are clearly divided on these issues. Believers simply cannot vote for candidates that so blatantly take a stand against what God says in His Word.

I had already decided my vote, but Macon's advice to her friends made the choice more crystal clear for me. Isn't this the way it should be for every decision large and small in our lives. My preeminent question should be "What does the Bible say about that?'' As the speakers at a retreat I attended last weekend said, "When you've got God's Word, you've got answers. Anything else is just opinion."

Macon is one more woman who has pointed me back to God's Word time and time again when I ask her questions about friendships, parenting, voting and a myriad of other issues. She has raised the bar high for me. Her witness inspires me and spurs me on to greater passion for following Jesus and becoming more like Him.

NOTE FOR NC VOTERS: I asked Macon about the election for judges. It is very difficult to tell about these candidate's stands on the issues because of the preservation of impartiality. These were the candidates that Macon endorses as the wife of a judge, a lawyer herself and a woman led by God's Word. I humbly submit them for your consideration as you prepare to vote:

Supreme Court:
Bob Edmunds

Court of Appeals:
John C. Marin
Jule Anne Farlow
Doug McCullough
Dan Barrett
Bob Hunter