A Special Evening With a Queen...Dolores Neely

This week we have been to Section 9 and Section 4 Conferences. We have had a fantastic time! Just like all the conferences we have attended this year, we experienced the spirit of UNITY. I feel like I am repeating myself when I talk about the 2011 Sectional Conferences, but in every conference we have felt the same UNITY. There is an excitement in the TEXAS DISTRICT and many reports of revival in our churches. We have truly experienced the scripture that says, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

Last night at the Section 4 Conference the ladies were privileged to hear one of my heroes speak. Sis. Dolores Neely has been one of the ladies in my life that I have loved and admired. Everyone who knows her, loves her. The love she has for her husband and the respect she has shown him through the years has made an everlasting impression on my life. She always makes EVERYONE feel they are special. Whenever you walk up to her, you "know you are loved". And, when you walk away from her, you know "you can make it".

Just as my friend Diane Green was getting ready to call me to greet the ladies, I turned and looked at them and what I saw took me on a journey of many years ago. Several of the ladies were holding notebooks in their lap and had a pen ready to take notes. In a flash...I was sitting in a room with other minister's wives while our husband's conducted "business" in the sanctuary, and standing before me was Sis. Neely. She was the Texas District Secretary's Wife, and I couldn't wait to hear her and Sis. Holley speak. I knew I would learn something from both of these ladies, and I wanted to learn everything I could. I'll always remember these two precious ladies and the words of wisdom they shared with me, a young Pastor's wife.

Last night was a blessing I cannot express to you. I saw a lady who had lived through heartache and grief, yet loved God MORE "today than she did yesterday". Both of her daughters have passed from this life, a young grandson was taken in an auto accident, and her "sweet husband" went on to his reward a short time ago. As she spoke, she worshiped, and as she worshiped, we were brought before the throne of God. When God heard her sweet voice giving Him praise, He HAD to come see her. As I worshiped Him I could hear Sis. Neely's voice. I could tell that she was not concerned about anything in "this life", so I opened my eyes and watched as she was "lost in His presence". Nothing mattered at that point. She was talking to Jesus, her Friend!

I've thought about what I saw and experienced in the "sectional minister's wives meeting", and I understand that who I saw standing before me last night was not just a "little old lady" (as she referred to herself) who has "nothing better to do than talk about God, prayer, angels, and heaven", but I saw a lovely queen who made me want to know Jesus more than ever. Yes, as I look back on what I experienced last night I realize that as Sis. Neely talked about Jesus, she created a desire within my heart to want to know Him more than I ever have. After all these years, Sis. Neely has shown me once again what is MOST IMPORTANT in life! Something she said last night in her soft voice tells what a beautiful Christian she is, and I quote: "I would like to tell you something profound...but I don't know anything profound, but Jesus."