Over Martha's life she’s had many names. In her younger years she answered to, "hey waitress". At seventeen she began a journey through a slew of names in the banking industry; from teller to Vice President. She's called daughter, wife, mom, nanna, teacher, and many of you call her "friend". Those names are precious to her in their own way, but I think the one that swells her heart and brings a tear to her eye is "Disciple" (John 8:31-32). I call her "Sid". She is my beautiful little Sister.
FUN STORY: Although her given name is Martha Louise, my parents called her "Sissy". As a toddler I had a speech problem so my version of Sissy came out as "Siddy". As I got older I shortened it to "Sid". Now, even Duan, her husband, and our mom, (I be you do to) call her Sid. Nothing wrong with the names Martha or Louise but I will never let Sid forget that she will always owe me for giving her a really cool name.
One significant characteristic of a SuperLifer is having a heart to serve. Sid used all the opportunities afforded her through her banking career to serve her community. Some folks may not know that she co-founded and served as president of the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. And with five other leaders, she went on to help establish the Anderson County Tourism Council. She also served as President of the Lake City Business and Professional Women's Club.
Although Sid had a heart for serving her community it was while on a mission trip in 2000 that she felt the call to leave her banking career and fully dedicate her life to serving the Lord. Every time she talks about that time she laughs and says, "I didn't know exactly what the calling was going to look liked, but I knew it had something to do with ministering to women". Three months later, a lady in her church at Second Baptist asked Sid to visit her daughter in the Anderson County Detention Center. After seeing how she connected with the young lady, the officer over the jail asked if Sid could begin a Bible study for the general population. With more than a little apprehension, she agreed. Sid ended up changing the direction of hundreds of those women’s lives by teaching Financial Peace Bible Study for the next several years. God used that as a catalyst for her to serve as Second Baptist's Women's Ministry director. While serving in that role she went on several mission trips to Kenya, Africa. Then went on to lead women's conferences in Kenya, Tok, Alaska, and Mexico.
Besides being a wife, mother, nanna to four amazing teenage grandkids, and the primary caregiver to our mom, serving is still very evident in her everyday life. Sid is on the board of the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, which serves abused and neglected children. Recently Sid and Duan, had the privilege and honor to make land available for an Isaiah 1:17 Home for foster children. While still very much a leader in women's' ministry today, she continues to find time to help and mentor women on an individual basis.
I have heard Sis give her testimony often…"If God can use my messy messed up life, he can absolutely use anyone". Sid’s life should be a reminder that growing older is not about becoming someone new, it’s becoming more of who you are. And then taking your experience and building on it, knowing that getting older is no reason to stop serving. Proud of my little sister. #LivingOutHerLastBestBite
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