Mynette Ulrich

This morning we are here today as friends and family to celebrate the life of Mynette Ulrich. Mynette went to be with the Lord a little more than a year ago on March 15th, 2020. And before we go much further, I would like to take this opportunity to pray and to ask God to be with us in this time that what have.

PRAYER

Thank God for this opportunity to come together to celebrate Mynette’s life and legacy.

Thank God for His hand that has been with us this past year.

Thank God for His presence that surrounds us in times like this. Thank God for His comfort as we mourn.

Ask God to be with us as we celebrate and remember Mynette… Holy Spirit guide and direct us we share this moment together.

The “Fruit Cake” lady. I almost had to do a double take as I read Mynette’s obituary. This was how she would commonly introduce herself as or… “Mrs. Ed.” I’m not sure if that was a reference to a TV show from the late 50’s but...

Mynette was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was an incredible friend to many. And she had a huge heart to serve others.

I found it amazing to hear of the work she did at the College of the Ozarks - a place she worked at for 32 years. It is said she baked well over 40,000 fruitcakes - A YEAR!!!

That’s roughly 20,000 pounds of flour, 3,333 dozen eggs, and roughly 782 gallons of milk!

She loved to sew, she made many quilts for friends, family, students, faculty and many others. She always designed her own patterns.

Mynette… was ALWAYS doing for others.

She helped students in times of need. She was at their weddings and baby showers as well.

Mynette was a giver… and as I spoke with Ginger briefly this week, Mynette’s legacy was so influential and well known that they recorded it all within a book!

I didn’t have the opportunity to know Mynette… our paths did no cross. But it didn’t take me long to understand that Mynette lived her life to give to others… She gave so much… she blessed so many… and her legacy is truly amazing and inspirational.

Covid has kept us from being able to meet sooner than we are now to celebrate Mynette’s life and legacy… but I cannot help but feel God’s timing on this is perfect. Why would I make such a claim this morning?

This last year has been described in many ways… uncertain, unprecedented, unpredictable, and chaotic. So much has changed… so much has shifted. So much has been disrupted and so many are hoping for things just to get back to normal.

But as I contemplated on what to bring to you today, I cannot help but believe that if Mynette would have faced this season with us… she would still be giving. She would still be serving. She would still be baking and encouraging and investing in others. But most importantly… she would still be following the Lord.

Focus on what we can do

Mynette used her talents and gifting to honor God and to serve others and she found JOY in doing so. It is clear from her obituary that she enjoyed blessing others! She did what God gifted her to do… and in doing so… left behind a legacy like no other.

The pandemic has caused all of us to stop… and I pray evaluate what is most important to us.

As the pastor of a church… things were changing so rapidly it was almost impossible to keep up. We found ourselves having to stop doing things we had always done… and quite honestly… it was discouraging. But God dropped in my heart a simple encouragement. He told me to stop looking at what we can’t do and focus on what we can do.

And I see that same drive in Mynette. She knew how to make fruitcake! She made so many that she introduced herself as the fruitcake lady! This was something she could do and she did it well for the glory of God.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make a mark on this world. You don’t have to be a renowned speaker or a celebrity to make a mark on this world. You don’t have to write a symphony or direct a movie to make a mark on this world. GOD HAS GIFTED EACH ONE OF YOU… the question is… WILL YOU USE THAT GIFT FOR HIS GLORY?

I believe Mynette took to heart what Jesus described as the greatest commandments in all of Scripture. We find this in Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ i 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I believe Mynette took this to heart. She knew and loved the Lord… and she loved others tremendously. Jesus says there is NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT than these two actions.

Why is this? Because when we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind… we love Him with all that we are. Not one part of us is reserved for anyone or anything else. It is all given to God.

When we love our neighbor as our self it means we love them as God loves us. Hear me today: GOD LOVES YOU. He loves you so much that His gave His Son for you. He went the distance for you… and He asks that we do the same for others.

Mynette placed her focus in doing what she knew she could do for others. She loved God… and she loved others. There is no greater thing we can do with our lives.

And I would encourage you to do the same with your life. Give your love to God… first. Above everything else… God should be number one in your life. And secondly, give of yourself for the benefit of others and for the glory of the Lord. Mynette’s legacy is NOT one of making a name for herself… although she had a rather unique nickname! Her legacy was helping and serving others… giving of herself no matter what.

As we honor her today… let’s choose to honor who she chose to honor. Let’s choose to love God with all that we are. Let’s choose to extend the same love He has given us toward others. Let’s glorify Him in our service and use the giftings He has given us for His glory. Let’s pray.

Closing Prayer

Surround us with your presence.

Comfort the mourning

Help us to love you first in all things.

Help us to love others and to use our God-given gifts for Your glory.