Women of Influence: Mat Wright

The next woman on my “Women of Influence” list gets her very own post because aside from my Mother and Grandmothers, Mat Wright, has had the longest, most consistent influence in my life.

Because she bought me my first book, Mat credits herself with my love of reading.  And, truthfully, some of my earliest love affairs with books were ones that Mat chose for me.  Mat and her husband, Bob, were my parents’ friends and mentors and neighbors during the first 5 years of my life.  They babysat me often, kept a special corner of their bookshelf stocked with books and toys it was always okay for me to get into, only ever called me “Sweetie” to this day, loved me unconditionally but never let me get away with sass. 

Bob and Mat moved to Wisconsin before I turned 6.  I remember feeling very, very sad the day they left.  That kind of distance in a time before cell phones and email should have been the end of that sweet friendship, but God had instilled a bond in our families that has stood the test of time and distance. 

We actually drove from the Rio Grande Valley to Menomenee Falls, WI, one summer in my dad’s Chevy Beretta to spend a week with the Wrights.  And, of course, they’ve made a trip or two our way as well.  (It got slightly easier after we moved to North Texas.)  She and Bob made a point of coming out to a high school football game when I was in marching band.  (Serious selfless sacrifice!)  And, after I moved to Fort Worth, they made the trip over from Plano to worship at Wedgwood with me one weekend.  Not a single birthday has ever gone by that I haven’t received a card and a check from Mat.  I don’t send out a single prayer update for my current work and ministry that she doesn’t reply with a promise of support and prayer.  And, the entire time I was in seminary, not a month went by that I didn’t receive something in the mail from her just to say she believes in and affirms God’s calling on my life.  Just two years ago, Bob and Mat were at Papa’s 40^th anniversary celebration at the Rio Hondo Baptist Church.  Their encouragement and affirmation at that time were huge is motivating me to get serious about pursuing God’s call on my life as a Bible study teacher. 

I could go on and on.  It’s my blog, and I’m tempted to do so.  But, I think the best way for me to summarize the impact of this very special woman of influence is to talk about ways I see Mat’s imprint on my life today:  There’s a box, in an easily accessible part of my living room, filled with toys that kids know they’re welcome to anytime they come over.  My giant bookshelf is filled to overflowing, most shelves stacked two rows deep with books, many written by authors Mat introduced me to.  Mariposa Ministries.  I’ll even let Mat share credit with my dad for my love of sports.  She was the first woman I ever knew who loved ESPN more than her husband.  (Although, she loves baseball, and I did not inherit that.)  I understand the value of going out of my way to take part in something that matters to someone else, not because I get it, but because it’s a chance to enter their world through something they love.