When my mother-in-law, Rhoda, passed away several years ago, my father-in-law gifted each of her children with a pair of her shoes – each holding a plant. We placed Rhoda’s sneakers in our garden and they serve as a fitting reminder of her legacy – she was an amazing example of Encouragement in Action.

I never saw Rhoda without her shoes on – I think she hit the floor running each day. Her feet carried her as she served others constantly. Whether she was baking cakes, scrubbing floors, delivering food, driving to the airport, or babysitting children – she was a woman in action. It took me a while to get used to her flurry of activity – especially when she came to visit. Not one to sit and chat, Rhoda cooked and canned, baked and swept, and even polished my silver. Eventually, I came to understand that was her way of showing love.

Even though I experienced her servant heart and passion for doing good deeds, I wasn’t able to put Rhoda’s life into perspective until her time here was done. The visitation for her funeral was scheduled at the largest church available in the area for three hours. People arrived early and stood in line for hours – at least two hours past the allotted time – to have the chance to say to her family, “Let me tell you what Rhoda did for me!” Friends, family, neighbors, and strangers waited patiently to acknowledge the impact my mother-in-law had on their lives. Even in her short 74 years, Rhoda’s reach was enormous – almost as big as her heart.

The significance of that day spoke to my heart in a variety of ways:

As an encourager, I was incredibly inspired.

So many women have influenced my passion to encourage others, but Rhoda specifically inspired me to have a servant heart. She never gave up – even when she was in pain herself. Serving was so deeply ingrained within her that I believe it was her lifeblood. At the root of her service was always love – love for God and love for others.

Her wide reach inspired me to consider every person I meet as an opportunity to encourage.

Rhoda’s encouragement did not discriminate. Old, young, rich, poor, social outcast, or community leader – she saw them all the same. Rhoda’s family is quite large – but it didn’t really matter if you were related or not – she treated all like family!

I am most grateful for the servant heart she planted in her son – my husband.

Rhoda didn’t operate a solo mission. She took along anyone she could – and that included her children when they were small. I am now blessed to be the partner of a mighty example of an Encourager in Action and he is passing that legacy on to our children.

When I visit my garden and my eyes come to rest on Rhoda’s shoes, I have grand visions of filling them someday. But when I shift the focus from the shoes to the thriving plant that is growing inside them, I remember that God is using her legacy to spill over and fill more than any pair of shoes could contain.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayer for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”

2 Corinthians 9:12-15