Word of the Week - Legacy of a life well lived
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
Sue Sterne Mitchell – On Tuesday I attended a funeral service for Sue Mitchell. Sue died tragically in a car accident on January19th, just over two weeks ago. I know Sue’s husband Mr. Bobby Mitchell and her 3 sons Bobby Jr., Lee and Chris primary through an organization called Fellowship of Companies for Christ International FCCI. Bobby and Sue Mitchell were founding members of FCCI. The mission of FCCI is “To equip and encourage Christian business leaders to operate their businesses and conduct their personal lives in accordance with Biblical principles”. I have been involved with FCCI over the past few years and have recently joined the board. I knew Sue from a few interactions with her and her family at recent FCCI annual conferences I attended, but I did not know her that well. In just spending a little time around her I got a sense that she was an amazing woman of God. Well, my intuitions were right and this past week at her visitation and Life Celebration service I got a clear view of who Sue was and the amazing impact her life had on so many people, starting with her family. I was impressed by what I experienced in interacting with her family and friends and hearing from her 3 sons at her funeral service. I would encourage you to watch some of the service, especially her 3 sons sharing, by clicking on this link Sue Mitchell Celebration Service. I wanted to take the opportunity to share a few thoughts from Sue’s life and legacy that I think can benefit us all.
A life well lived in Christ: Sue was born on July 1, 1947, and married Bobby in 1968. She and her husband Bobby both had a life changing experience of faith shortly after they were married, which transformed their lives. As a result of their faith experience, they both made Christ and His great commandment “To love God and love people”, their primary focus. The following is an excerpt from Sue’s epitaph in her Celebration Service program. “Sue was a faithful conduit of love to all around her and encouraged others in a quiet and unassuming way. Her warm smile and humble demeanor conveyed others importance and her deep care for them. She was a peacemaker, a selfless helper, and a faithful prayer warrior. Sue shined light in dark places and deeply desired for others to experience the love of Jesus. For over 40 years, she and her husband Bobby together served the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International, encouraging their peers and mentoring a younger generation of business leaders. As a parent at the Lovett School in Atlanta, she faithfully prayed and served the students and community. For decades she woke up early every Thursday morning to prepare and serve breakfast for the weekly FCA breakfasts. Sue and Bobby also served as committee chairs for Atlanta Young Life and passionately championed sharing the gospel with teenagers. In her local church, she mentored many young mothers through “Mom to Mom” and then served the children of the church in Vacation Bible School.” At the funeral service, Sue’s 3 sons each shared about their mom, and the impact she had on them along with so many people. I was so encouraged and convicted by how God used Sue through her faith and obedience that she walked out in her day-to-day life as a willing servant. There were numerous stories of how Sue’s influence through service and prayer led so many people to Christ.
Godly Heritage – A Heritage refers to the spiritual riches and deep-seated treasures of character that we leave to our kids, grandkids, and future generations. This is the greatest gift we can give our family and all too often we miss the mark on this because we are focused on the wrong things. There is no doubt that Sue’s life manifested in building a solid godly heritage for her children, grandchildren, and generations to come. Here is another excerpt from Sue’s Celebration of Life program. “Sue, or Gram, as she was known by her 10 grandchildren, loved no one more than her family. She poured her life into them and served them with a joyful spirit, constant encouragement, and wisdom. Sue passed on her love for scripture and prayer, teaching her children and grandchildren that God alone gives us all we need for this life. She modeled what it means to love and put others ahead of herself. Her commitment and marriage of 54 years to Bobby were a beautiful example of a life shared together”. God desires for every person to have a spiritual heritage. The reality is that God instituted family so we can train and equip our children with godly values so they live to their full God potential and pass godly values on to their children, live multi-generationally. “Train them up in the way he/she should go, And when they are older they will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 Sue’s life was an amazing example a life devoted to building a godly Heritage.
What most impressed me about Sue was how God used her so powerfully right where she was. In her quiet and unassuming personality many times behind the scenes, God did an amazing and powerful work in so many. Her life had a major Impact for eternity. She was a faithful and committed servant who lived intentionally with a heart towards God and people. God promises us that if we make God’s values our priority, He will bless our lives and our descendants up to a thousand generations. “Know therefore that the Lord God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 What an amazing and powerful promise of God. I hope this encourages you toward living on purpose with intentionality to plant seeds for Generational Blessing in your family. The is the opportunity we have as followers of Christ and Kingdom builders.
I hope this excerpt from Sue’s life inspires you like it inspired me. Please keep the Mitchell family in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve their loss, Sue will be deeply missed by so many. There was no doubt by anyone who knew Sue or who was present at the service of her eternal destination. Praise God for the assurance of salvation for those who are in Christ. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Sue Sterne Mitchell
JULY 1, 1947 – JANUARY 19, 2023
-Duane