Freewheeling Blog: Remember a Spiritual Mother

I have a mother, now deceased. I have a stepmom, still alive. And I have a number of spiritual mothers - women who poured into me and influenced my life. One spiritual mother is Susan Hoff.

Susan happened to be the wife of my middle school football coach, Ronnie, but more importantly, she was my middle school Sunday School teacher. In the tiny town of Runge, Texas, Susan was often my personal Sunday School teacher on the weeks when I was the only student.

I felt so bad for her on those weeks. Susan diligently prepared the lesson. Usually we would have two to four students. But at least once a month, the preacher's kid (me) was the only one who showed up.

The most awkward moments were when Susan would ask a question to the class, which meant me. Sometimes I had an answer, sometimes not. She would try to guide me into the answer. I knew it was frustrating, but she kept her emotions mostly in check.

Susan taught good lessons, as I recall. But I was learning something else about faith every week. Susan's consistency demonstrated how we're not called to be successful but faithful.

Fast forward about 15 years. I was scheduled to lead a weekend youth lock-in at my Dallas church. Two years earlier, the youth experienced a Planned Famine, in which you locked in for 30 hours and mostly fasted (juice was allowed) while studying the problem of world hunger. It was well-attended, and our youth leaders were confident a repeat event would be as well. A lot of high schoolers and middle schoolers signed up. The youth pastor was going to be absent, so I would lead.

Well, only two middle school boys showed up. I was devastated. I took a break to pray in the sanctuary. While it was OK for me to be there with the two boys, it just seemed like a waste of time. I considered cancelling the event.

But while praying, God reminded me of Susan Hoff. What would Susan do? I knew what she did for me. She would keep going, knowing she was entrusted with the ones (or the one, in my case) who attended.

It turned into a wonderful weekend. I asked questions to a room of two, much like Susan. Through dedicated time together, the two boys and I built friendships that last to this day, decades later.

Whenever ventures look daunting and worthless, I think of my spiritual mother, Susan Hoff. I have no idea where she is or whether she is still alive. But her spirit has influenced me so many times. The lessons Susan taught are embedded in me, but her most important lesson is the one that often propels me.