Saturdays with Susan

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:5-7

Saturdays with Susan began 6 years ago, when I was in my senior year of high school. 

At youth group we would set aside one Wednesday each month to serve people from our congregation who might need a little extra help around their house, in their yard, or simply as an encouraging interaction.

I was singing on the youth worship team each week and on one particular Wednesday our practice had run long, which meant it was too late to join the rest of the students in their serving. But then we received a text that Susan Frison would love a short visit of encouragement and prayer. This was something our band could do! Little did I know, this wonderful lady lived half a mile from my parents’ house, and she happened to be looking for a house cleaner/caregiver part time.

That one Wednesday opened the door to what became a weekly rhythm for Susan and me, and I can confidently say that meeting her was a divine appointment from the Lord.

I spent at least every other Saturday with Susan for the past six years, and let me tell you, it changed my life! I would go to caregive or do housework and my aim was simply to serve and encourage Susan, but each time I ended up leaving as the one who had been encouraged. We quickly started to share the joys of life and the deepest valleys; we laughed together and cried together. Susan became my honorary grandma especially in a time where my biological grandma had dementia and couldn’t fill that role anymore. Susan was a true friend. She lived her life to serve others and exuded a strong faith in the Lord.

Susan had a lot of physical ailments in her final years. Little tasks would really take a toll on her body, but I never once heard her complain. She was so content in the Lord and His plan for her despite her challenges and chronic pain. She was quick to acknowledge that He was still using her in her home when friends, previous clients, neighbors, or anyone else came to visit.

Susan’s response to me would be, “When life knocks you down, you are in the perfect position to pray.” She would start each morning in deep physical pain, but would swing her legs out of bed and before her first steps of the day she would recite, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” I can attest that she did this even on her worst days. She taught me that we can praise and thank the Lord for the trials in our life because He is with us in them and is the source of all comfort and purpose.

Susan went home to be with Jesus the morning of her 81st birthday, on April 8th, 2022. It was beautiful that she both came into the world and left on the same day; how many people can say that? Her most frequent prayer during her last year was that the Lord would take her home to be with Him. She lived with so much hope and desire for Heaven that this is truly the best birthday gift she could’ve asked for: to be in the presence of her Savior.

It was the biggest blessing and privilege to see Susan through the end of her life and spend six amazing years together. My walk with Jesus has grown so much because of the way Susan radiated Jesus and how He always got the glory despite the circumstances.

How amazing is it that the body of Christ can be in different walks of life, yet we can encourage and learn from each other? My prayer for you, dear sister, is that you consider finding either a multi-generational relationship or someone who is in a different life stage to pour into. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, like I was, to find someone truly special as you invest time in getting to know them.

Praise the Lord for Susan’s life and her ministry. It truly changed my life! I can’t wait to see her again one day.

 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

My Saturday armchair view chatting with Susan about anything and everything with her beloved kitty, Holmes.