Shirley Henry is a legend around our house.

Now, I wouldn’t know Shirley Henry if I passed her on the street, although I believe I did meet her once – probably 30 years or more ago! But I have known about her for longer than that.

My husband and I met while we were in college. I lived in Michigan and he lived in Ohio (we met through mutual friends – but that’s another story for another day). Ned loves people and he’s a great story teller. He can remember places, events, and especially people who have impacted his life from the time he was very little. He’s told many stories over the years of people he has known and loved – and Shirley Henry is one of my favorite stories.

(This story is so well known around our home and in the churches he pastored that I bet several of the kids who were in his youth groups could tell it – but I’ll try to give you the edited version!) Shirley Henry is the mother of one of his high school buddies. She was also a counselor at a church camp that he attended. Ned asked another buddy of his to go along with him for the week and this friend accepted Christ. His friend came up to Ned and said, “You’ve gone to church your whole life – but if you died today do you know that you would go to heaven?” And then his buddy led him over to the woman who had shared Christ with him – Shirley Henry.

And yes, she then shared the plan of salvation in a clear-cut, simple way and my husband knelt down and put his face in a brown metal folding chair and accepted Christ.

I love this story! (And I’ve heard it many, many times over the years.) I love it because, of course, that is the day my best friend and wonderful husband began a relationship with his Savior, but I also love it because when I think of Shirley Henry I am blessed to know that she was willing to simply share her faith with those around her. (And yes, she is one of our devotional authors – check out our link!)

Perhaps outside of our family Shirley Henry isn’t famous, although I have no doubt that this precious lady has impacted many, many people over the years – but she’s a hero to me! The majority of the world may not know her name – but we do, and are so very grateful.

What about you – is there someone who knows your name because you’ve shared His Name with them?

All for Him,

Missy