thoughts of my grandmother
As I sit here in the hospital room with my mother and my grandmother, preparing to spend the night with my grandmother, my thoughts go back over the years that she has been with us.
My grandmother came to live with our family in '94, mainly so we could help take care of grandfather. It wasn't easy, because he was stubborn and cantankerous. I remember that he would fight us with so many things, even so far as throwing himself on the floor. When he went to be with the Lord, things changed a lot around the house.
Grandmother was a joy to have around throughout the day, she would cook and tell stories, she would talk with me. I loved to hear her stories. She would tell me of things that happened years ago, of how it was like in her day, of people she taught in sunday school who were now big names in southern baptist life. She would share years of wisdom and experience and inspire me with her spirit, her heart, and her dedication.
I think of when she would tell me of when Grandfather took over the boys sunday school class and she couldn't figure out why they were all so excited about their class until she spied on him one sunday morning, only to see him acting out the stories with the kids enraptured. she would laugh when she told that story, because it was so out of character for him.
or when my Aunt threw a temper tantrum and she had all the kids lay on their belly and yell and kick and scream just like her. That ended that behavior in my Aunt.
or when the tornado picked her up and carried her and set her down in a field with her father, not a scratch on either of them.
or when my own mother missed the iron lung by a prayer. The doctor told my grandmother and grandfather that when they came in the next morning they would see their daughter in the iron lung. They went home and got on their knees and prayed. They committed my mom to the Lord and His service and themselves to His service. When they came back, my mom was not in the iron lung. The doctor told them that it didn't make any sense but at X time her fever broke and she came out of it. They knew why, because it was that exact time that they prayed. From that time on, they all worked tirelessly for the Lord. And I know, I KNOW that when my grandmother wakes up, she will see the face of her Lord, the same Lord who delivered my mother from the iron lung, who filled their life with purpose, who gave healing in times of hurt, who changed their life and the lives of all 6 of her children, and many, many grand and great grandchildren, and when she sees His face He will greet her with open arms and tell her, "well done! Well done!"
Her dedication to the Lord's service was largely due to that experience with my mom. They gave themselves to God that night, and their daughter. It was because of that they my mom later gave herself to His service, and because of her example and steady teaching that myself, and my two elder brothers are whole heartedly engaged in His service.
She will be missed, not forgotten; mourned but with no regrets. I just pray that when I reach that time, I can leave as big an impact.
I have to ask the question, Where are you in your relationship with Jesus? are you lost and alone? Maybe you are facing a crisis in your life, the same Lord that saved my mom in her crisis can save you in yours. If you will surrender yourself and your situation to Him. It isn't always easy, my grandmother could attest to that, but my friend it is always worth it!! For in that day when you die, what will you wake up to? Will it be a loving face, and a well done? i sure hope so. I sure hope so.
or maybe, you're the believer who is floating along, stagnent in service. This could be the point where you surrender, as my grandmother did, to the Lord and His service. Something to think about.
This is the end of my grandmother's life on earth, but it isn't a sad time. It's a time of excitement, it's a send off!!
Good night!