Remembering Rusty

I know many people my age who had negative experiences growing up in the church. I am sorry their formative years were not filled with the sparkling reflection of Jesus Christ I saw week in and week out. I also know people who had amazing experiences in the church as kids and grew up to find alot of it was an act...at least every day except Sunday, that is. I realized that along the way too, on occasion. And yet, I often find myself wondering why I was able to grow up still clinging to the church as the greatest hope we have for sharing the life and love of Jesus with the world?
I just returned from planning a "Celebration of Life" (funeral service) for a dear friend, Rusty Vaughan. Rusty died yesterday, at the age of 91. At every milestone in my life Rusty was there...communion, confirmation, baptism, first solo in church, car accidents, graduations, call to ministry decisions. But more importantly Rusty was there in the every day activities of life. As a teenager I would often hop in my car and drive out to Bob and Rusty's house just to visit. When I came home from college I always dropped by their house to say "hi". There were times I wondered how I was going to buy my school books when I would receive a check in the mail from Rusty and Bob. There were times when new music books would appear on the dining room table with my name on them. There were many hugs and general words of encouragement. And there was always great comfort food. I have not spent face-to-face time with Rusty over the last 10 or 15 years...but I often think about her influence on my life when I am in worship, or when I am visiting in someone's home and they exhibit exemplary hospitality. Rusty Vaughan was the perfect balance of Mary and Martha we find in the Gospels. She could work diligently not seeking recognition, just desiring to serve and offer comfort. But she was also willing to sit and share in affirming conversation. Jesus loved Mary and Marth both so very much, and lifts their individual gifts up for us to see in Scripture. Their lives reflected the One whom they loved so very much. Rusty's life reflected the One whom she loved so very much.
I suppose I have begun to answer my own question. I am able to cling to the church as a beacon of hope for sharing Jesus because I have always known His reflection through the lives of church saints in my life like Rusty Vaughan. I will remember Rusty Vaughan...but even more important I will remember the reflection of Jesus Christ that radiated through her life. I pray that my remembering will lead me to do the same! Who do you remember as a reflection of Jesus Christ?