| Mary Who? - article by Joel Hempel
When was the last time you expressed appreciation for the biblical heroine Mary? Not that Mary or the other Mary! I mean Mary who lived in Rome. One of my favorite chapters of the Bible is Romans 16. It’s not unusually rich in theology, as are the other chapters in the Book of Romans. Rather, it is because Paul names numerous people who have long been forgotten but were faithful servants of the Lord and helpful in ministry at the time – among them, Mary (see verse 6). Sitting on my chest of drawers in our master bedroom is a photo of my paternal grandparents – the Rev. Paul and Martha Hempel. I never met my grandpa, but he and Grandma Hempel are important to my heritage. Grandpa was an incredible artist, and together with Martha, they were missionaries in East Africa and then served in Minnesota and South Dakota. I sometimes sit in my grandma’s rocking chair and look at the charcoal drawing of Jesus that Grandpa drew for his fiancée in 1896. Who will remember you when you are gone? What about 100 years after your death? Will your great-grandchildren or grandnieces or nephews tell stories about your accomplishments? Will generations to come remember you and your service to the Lord, your contributions to the church, and your remarkable generosity? Or will you be forgotten along with 99.9 % of everyone else? Maybe you and I should do a better job broadcasting our good deeds. Those people you help at work, the kindness you show strangers, how you go out of your way to demonstrate the love of Jesus – who knows that about you? Who have you told about the special care you have shown to children, or your faithful prayer life dedicated to the well-being of others? What about all the work you do behind the scenes on behalf of others or those countless times you have anonymously given beyond your tithe? Your name is probably not Mary, and your name will likely not be recorded in the next best-selling book of all time. But there is One who will never forget you or your name. He who created you . . . he who formed you: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine (Isaiah 43:1-2). These words were not only intended for God’s chosen people of the Old Testament; they are also intended for you. For you are his chosen and baptized child. Your name is engraved on the palm of God’s hand. Although your own mother might forget you, our Lord will not (Isaiah 49:15-16). Generations to come may foolishly forget who you are, but you will be remembered by the One and the many with whom you will spend eternity. | 
