My thoughts this week have turned to memories of my mom, Joyce Savage. Feb 12 is the anniversary of her death–or, more appropriately, the anniversary of her home-going. She even announced to the staff of her assisted living facility several days before she died that she was “going home on the 12th.” And, then, sure enough, she passed away from this life and into her heavenly home on Feb 12, 2012, which was just 4 days before her 84th birthday. I am grateful for the upbringing she and my dad provided for me. And, as is true for many of us, the older I get, the wiser they become. Am I right?!

Thinking of my mom also led me to reconsider a particular biblical woman: Tabitha (her Hebrew name), also known as Dorcas (in Greek), because both my mom and Tabitha shared a common passion–sewing. My dear mom made most of my clothes when I was growing up, and I did not really appreciate that until I was an adult and had to start purchasing them for myself. My mom would have rather spent time sewing than eating or sleeping. It was an all-consuming love of hers.

According to the brief, yet dramatic, story in Acts 9:36-42 about Tabitha, she spent much of her time sewing for others in need, even though she was also a widow and could have been in need herself. Her ministry really touched the lives of a lot of people in her port city of Joppa on the coast of Israel, about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem. As a matter of fact, she is the first and only named woman in scripture with the title of “disciple.” Some biblical scholars even consider her a deacon.

However, the reason her story stands out in scripture is that when she died, the people whom she had served sent for the apostle Peter. He came and they showed him the clothes she had made to help so many others. His prayers for Tabitha brought her back to life! As this news spread throughout Joppa, many other people put their faith in the Lord. I wonder what her stories were like after coming back from the dead?!

While my mom spent much of her time making my clothes, she also spent years giving her gifts and talents to working with preschoolers and their families at church. She was the founding director of a church preschool. She led conferences training others how to work with children in church. She was a wonderful model for me as a minister’s wife committed to church ministry.

Question for the day: What will people miss about you when you’re gone? Are you using your passion to help others?