“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

There are some people who go to work every day, collect a paycheck, go home. However, this is not a description of the Office of Coroner, George County, Mississippi.  These dedicated public servants go the extra mile, to say the least.  Dee Ann Murrah, the Coroner, provides a web page for the Coroner’s office and has a personal page on Facebook.  She called my sister in law, Betty, and had her send a picture of Lucy to aid in the search.  Coroner Murrah put the picture on both websites and many people shared it.  The townspeople searched for Lucy as soon as it was safe. Coroner Murrah, along with her husband and family joined the search. The dense woods of George County is a huge challenge under normal conditions.

The teams persisted for a week. Was their work dangerous?  Yes.  Did they give up?  No.

Eventually, the group spotted Lucy!  Alive, but covered with cuts on her body.  Coroner Murrah took her home and called the Baker family to tell them the good news.   Lucy returned home on Betty’s birthday. God is good! 

The experience stayed on my mind for a long time:  the above and beyond of the Town of Lucedale, Mississippi; the Coroner who loves the living enough to exhibit Jesus in her daily life, simply, not expecting any applause or recognition.      

When I ask myself “What would Jesus do?” I think of Dee Ann Murrah, her staff and the people of Lucedale, Mississippi.  My heroes!         

Coroner Murrah stayed heavy on my mind for the next few days.  I know God wanted me to do something, but I didn’t know what.  I called her, introduced myself, thanked her profusely for what she and the town had done.  Like everyone else, she had no idea why the car was positioned in the middle of the road.  Still feeling incomplete, I called her back.  This time, God whispered, ~ ”Ask her what she needs.  How can you help her?” ~ In response to that question, she said, “Pray for George County.”

So, here we are.  I’m asking you, my friends:  Please pray for George County, Mississippi, as they dig out from Hurricane Zeta.  Also, a special request from me:  Please pray for Dee Ann Murrah, her family and staff, that they be lifted high and their Lights continue to shine brightly in this dark world.     

I won’t presume to know what Jesus would do, but I do know there are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances modelling His behavior every day. Let us be counted in that number.

“Wherefore we labor, that… we may be accepted of Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV)

Prayer:  Father God, help us to be like the musician who does not need the approval of the audience if he can catch the look of approval from his Master. In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Judy Holmes
McComb, Mississippi, USA

Click here for Part 1