Get to Know Marlys Johnson Lawry
Name: Marlys Johnson Lawry
Where are you from? Bend, Oregon
Share your age or Generation (Baby boomer, Gen X, Millennial, Gen Z): Baby Boomer
Marlys Johnson Lawry x Grit & Grace
Are you naturally more grit or grace and has that changed over the years? I’m naturally more grit. And because I was so self-disciplined and self-sufficient, I tended to not have a lot of grace toward others going through hard things. And then along came my own wilderness season, and God softened my heart toward compassion and grace and a desperate dependency upon my heavenly Father.
What subjects do you speak to for Grit & Grace Life? I speak to a variety of topics, but I tend to lean toward the lessons learned during the wilderness years: caregiving, cancer, taking care of a live-in aging mom, Alzheimer’s, grief and loss, financial strain, finding new purpose, practicing gratitude, developing an outward focus, dating again (yikes!), red flags and rejection (double yikes!).
Tell us about a time you dug deep for grit? Definitely during the wilderness years. After getting over the self-pity and frustration, I leaned into God and into the strength he gave me—one day at a time—as loss mounted upon loss.
Tell us about a time you offered grace to yourself. After my daughter’s lecture on accepting the kindness of others, I humbled myself to ask for help as my husband was dying. I gave myself grace when exhaustion set it. I’d take afternoon naps while my husband dozed in the hospital bed in the middle of our living room, or pick up a knitting project or a book and allow myself to sit with my husband and accomplish absolutely nothing.
The Woman Behind the Writing
What does life look like in your current season and what is one thing that has you excited right now? I lost my husband to cancer, our home, and a way of life I didn’t mean to take for granted but apparently did. But since that time, I’ve remarried and we live an abundant, full life of service to others. I’m currently excited about writing a book, which is a long and slow process, but very rewarding.
What is your favorite hobby, activity, or creative outlet? My favorite activity is anything outdoors with hubby: hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, camping, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, or fishing.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? When my first husband was dying of cancer, I had a tendency to turn down offers of help because I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. One day, my daughter—with hands on her hips—lectured me: “Mom, people want to be part of your story. They want to help in meaningful ways. You need to let them.” (Don’t you hate it when your children are smarter/wiser than you?!)
A ‘Lil Fun
Describe your ideal weekend. Perhaps because we travel so much, a stay-at-home weekend is lovely. Brisk fall colors. Crisp temperatures. A hike in the nearby wilderness. Dinner out with hubby (Friday date night!). Football on TV. A little yardwork putting plants to bed for the winter. Friends over for dinner.
If money were no object, what’s the first thing you would buy? I’d buy a new water tank for a Christian conference center in the nearby mountains (I know, I know… weird). But we volunteer at this beautiful, old place that’s ministered to so many people through the years, and they need an updated, larger water tank.
Where would you most like to travel to and why? On a trip to Australia, a taxi cab driver made the comment, “I don’t know why Americans come to Australia when there’s so much to see in the States.” A lightbulb clicked on in my head because at the time, I’d never seen the Grand Canyon, or Yosemite or Yellowstone. I’d love to visit as many national parks and monuments as possible because there is so much variety and beauty to this land we live in.
Faith
My faith began as a child, growing up in Sunday School, and church, and youth group, and youth summer camps. I also had a mom who encouraged (and rewarded) us kids for scripture memorization and Bible reading.
I never strayed from my faith, but as I grew into my older teens and early 20s, I made it my own. Instead of merely a bunch of rules to follow, I grew to love God and his Word, and I came to understand what a personal relationship with God looked like. Father and daughter talking and listening, sitting still in his presence with Bible open and journal handy.
Later in life, after a season of deep loss, I grew more desperately dependent upon my heavenly Father, which drew me even closer to his heart. I wouldn’t trade those hard and holy years for anything because of what I learned and how he was so very present for me.
One Last Thing
What is your favorite quote? “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” – Tim Keller
What is your favorite Bible verse? “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” – Ephesians 1:17-19. I personalized the following verses and pray them over myself:
“I keep asking that you, God of my Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know you better. I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in your holy people, and your incomparably great power for me because I believe.”
