My greatest encourager by Claire Musters

Some of you will have learned through my Facebook posts that my dear mum went to be with Jesus on 2 February. She had battled chronic illnesses for most of my life, but still managed to teach me more about resilient faith in the face of suffering and difficulties than anyone else I know. Though outwardly she may have been wasting away she definitely was still being renewed inwardly day by day and I will continue to be challenged by her attitude towards life.

Mum was also my biggest champion, and I am so going to miss her encouragement in my daily life, but particularly in my writing. She regularly told me I was doing the things she wished she’d been brave enough to do (regarding writing) but her courage never ceased to amaze me and, as I hope you will see below, her creativity flowed out of her regularly until her body was too worn down to enable her to engage with the painting and poetry writing that she loved doing. 

Mum’s encouragement to me was so appreciated - I’ve already so missed her beady eye proofreading the books I’ve written. In recent years her eyesight and concentration were so bad that she couldn’t read the latest projects I’ve worked on – but that didn’t stop her encouraging words.

There will be a big hole left in my life, but also in my career, by my mum’s death. It has made me reflect on who else I have championing me. I am so grateful to my husband, for his support but also for his willingness to engage with the calling God has put on my life. It has meant he has agreed to write a book with me, telling our story further and hopefully encouraging other married couples. But I’ve been struck and challenged by different Facebook and More than Writer posts by ACW members recently. These include Amy celebrating the small group of writers she regularly engages with online, Wendy reminding us all to be there for one another, and to be kind to each other, and Liz last Friday focusing on how we can encourage with our words.

One thing I learned about my mum is that, while she often struggled with what difference her life could make as she was so often housebound, she never ceased to pray for and actively encourage others. It was so beautiful when, the night before she died, two of my closest friends came to visit and shared with mum just a small part of the legacy she has left: one was so grateful for the way she had always taken the time to encourage her son in his musical gifting whenever she visited, and the other thanked mum for listening to God and giving them their daughter’s middle name.

My mum was one incredible woman, but we can all do that one thing she was so good at. However weak or strong we feel, let’s remember that it doesn’t take too much effort to reach out to encourage another fellow writer. Let us be those who champion one another, who hold each other up through the difficult moments and celebrate the high points in one other’s lives.

Here is a poem mum wrote back in 2007, a reflection on words…

Words, words, words, words                                                           

Tumbling out of a toddler’s mouth.

Words, words, words, words

Silent inside a teenager’s head.

First words of courtship

Hard to express.

Words of awe and wonder

At a baby’s first drawn breath.

Last words of sorrow

As a loved one lies in death.

Words in the airwaves

Circling round the globe

Heard in an instant

Though a thousand miles divide.

Careless words, not thought about

Spoken recklessly

Reaching deep in others’ hearts

To tear and hurt and wound.

Gentle words of love

Fiery words of hate

Words that tear down 

Words that encourage, build up.

Mighty words, majestic words

Words spoken by a Saviour

Lasting down the years.

Words of wisdom, love and peace

Words still speaking now

To those with ears to hear.

God said, as He created

He said – and it was so

The earth and stars and sea and sun

Obeyed Him at His Word.

And if we’ll listen

Still the words                                                     

Are echoing down the years                                

His Words for us                                                

That we would love                                             

And be as one with Him.                                     

That we would use His gift of words                   

In wisdom and in love

Slow to speak to others

Till we’ve heard and recognised

The words He’d have us use

To bring to those around us

His love, His truth, His peace.

Claire is a freelance writer, speaker and editor, mum to two gorgeous children, pastor’s wife and worship leader. Her books include Taking off the mask: daring to be the person God created you to be, Cover to Cover: Ezekiel A prophet for all times, Cover to Cover: 1–3 John Walking in the truth, Cover to Cover: David: A man after God's own heart, Insight Into Managing Conflict, Insight Into Self-acceptance and Insight Into Burnout. Her latest edition to the Insight Guides series, An Insight into Shame, was published in May and she is currently writing another Cover to Cover on Exodus, a devotional on disappointment and loss as well as a book on marriage alongside her husband. She also writes Bible study notes and magazine articles. To find out more about her, please visit www.clairemusters.com  and @CMusters on Twitter.