I must be the most blessed of the blessed. I was fortunate enough to have a grandmother for 51. The world was graced by her presence for 96 years. But, being able to say I had a grandmother for 51 years is a little thing; what she taught me in those years were the big things. A Christian woman for all of her life, I don’t recall her quoting scriptures. And, while I never heard her quote Matthew 25:35-36, she must have read it many times. You see instead of reading it or quoting it she chose to live it: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
My earliest memories of her were going to her house after church on Sundays. She was quite the cook. But, as soon as my meal was finished- and oft times before I would eat- I had to go through the neighborhood and deliver dinners to people who, for whatever reason, couldn’t cook or buy food. The reason why they couldn’t get their own meal was never something I was told. You see, it wasn’t important. What was important was that they get something to eat.
She ran a rest home. And my memory recalls a certain woman who was there and was willed a piece of property that was to small to even sell (zoning laws in the county she was from were very weird). The state said because of that piece of property now being own by a woman who didn’t want it and couldn’t sell it they could no longer pay for her to stay at the home. But, she was never put out. It was the opinion of my grandmother that the home that she had was also the lady’s home and if one person in the home ate they would all eat. If one had a bed the lady who the state would no longer pay for would have a bed. You see she recognized the stranger and took her in. The lady never again had to pay money for her stay.
I was in prison and you came to me. Once when a family member had stolen from my grandmother and her sister after many attempts to help him they pressed charges which sent him to jail. But, instead of leaving in jail without family, they sent him things he needed while he was there. They visited him has often as possible. He was never abandoned during his darkest hours.
While I am fortunate to have had a grandmother as long as I did, my true blessing is being able to witness the life that she led. It is my hope that in this day in age when we pray for more workers to be sent into the field, that we live lives that show His love to hurting world and inspire others to spring up and help with the harvest. Enjoy the Sabbath Rest Granny.
20 May 1914 – 18 November 2010
Please continue praying for the Mid Atlantic Christian University family.
If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST
Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!
December 14, 2010
What a sweet, sweet Christian example! Thanks for sharing.