What Sharon Left

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
12/19/24 - General

What Sharon Left
by Brian Nielsen

She put bacon on top of the meat loaf she served.

Who could ask Sharon Fox for more than that? But her great cooking isn't close to being the main memory of this wonderful, God-fearing woman who passed away early Friday morning.

When upon returning to the church after too many foolish, sinful years away, I received plenty of welcoming handshakes and hugs. But none meant more to me than that from Sharon, who tearfully said, "Mack would be so happy." What mixed emotions. It pierced my heart to think that I waited too long to come forward repenting for Sharon's husband, who was such a good influence on me, to see that day. But once I finally did, I was also warmed by the loving forgiveness from his wife whom I also admired. She was quick to forgive because God forgives us.

A while later I gave her some Bible-based articles I had written so she could give them to someone she knew still learning IF she found them scripturally sound. Next time we met, I could hardly have heard three more uplifting words than "They're all good." That meant a lot. Sharon had earned that kind of respect. She and Mack helped many similar to what we read in Acts 18:26 -- "So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Acquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more

accurately."

For many of us, Sharon may come to mind as we read Romans 16:1-2 -- "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and myself also."

She has led women's classes meeting during the week, has taught children's classes, and contributed her Bible knowledge to adults classes. She no doubt has done plenty of acts of kindness that we don't know, but God does. (See Matthew 6:1-4)

We can find comfort that Sharon's suffering on earth is done and that daughter Kimmel, son Ed, their children, and her church family can remember her when reading 2 Timothy 3:14-15 -- "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

We can no longer enjoy Sharon's meat loaf topped with bacon, but her more significant gifts remain.

(Scripture quotes are from the NKJV)