The Heart of My Grandmother

December 1999

As a child, there were few things more exciting than visiting my grandmother’s house. During our visit to Midland a few weeks ago, I drove by my grandmother’s old house. When I look back on my childhood a number of funny and random memories hide in my mind. I remember her house always having a beautiful yellow front porch with overgrown flowers lining the whole front of the house. The house sits a block away from the Catholic Church where we spent most of our Sunday mornings growing up. The visits during my younger days were always fun. It was a happy and safe place. This was also the home where my mom and her three brothers and sister grew up and where eventually both of my grandparents passed away.

There are certain people from our childhood that seem to stick with us with unusual impact throughout life. For many reasons, my grandmother has been one of those in my life. I think about her often and I feel her presence in my life even today. She was a beautiful Godly woman who devoted her life to her husband and family. There was a sense of peace and joy about her that now looking back I can only say could come from having a deep personal relationship with Christ.

She enjoyed sharing stories about my grandfather and I knew without a doubt she loved her life. She had a stubborn and silly side to her that helped me get through my parents divorce which was one of the toughest times in my life. She somehow knew my anger and disappointments concerning the divorce ran deep and she had a gentle way of speaking truth into my heart.

She taught me that love is not just a mindless feeling that rides on waves of emotions. But lasting love is one that preservers through some of the hardest trials in life. (And she had her fair share of those). I watched her hope in Christ sustain her after the loss of her husband and the tragic death of her youngest grandson. I saw her suffer the physical pains of getting old and we joked about her silly looking orthopedic shoes. She completed her race in this life with so much grace and dignity.

My grandmother is someone who I truly admire because of her devout commitment to God and selfless devotion to her family. She inspires me to strive to be a better wife, a better mother and a better follower of Christ. She was my earth angel. 

For Better Or For Worst

What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?

As with every year, Russell and I enjoy watching American Idol. Even though I vow at the end of every season not to get sucked into the show, it never seems to fail we get hooked. As we were watching one of the auditions for this upcoming season, I couldn’t help but cry at the story of Chris Medina. He had more than just an amazing voice.

As shown in the above video, just over a year ago Chris was due to marry the love of his life when she had a tragic accident and suffered a brain injury. He had faith that she would wake up from the comma and she did, but not without many physical and mental challenges as a result of the accident. Understandably many would have thought nothing of him if he chose to walk away and live his own life. But, instead he says, "I was just about to make vows just two months from the accident: Through thick and thin, ‘Til death do us part, In sickness and in health, For better or for worst. What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me most?" Now that is incredible commitment, Integrity, and loyalty. Kind of makes me wonder how many men out there would do the same thing.

He held through during the darkest hour. For any of us, it’s easy to be loyal when the going is good and you are reaping the benefits. But the fact is, true loyalty and love is sticking around even after you stop gaining the rewards. Ouch!!! So totally against what the self seeking world would say. I look at this story and thank the Lord for his promise to never leave me even in my darkest hour. Even when I must hurt and frustrate him he is always loyal. What an amazing "real world" story of Love and faithfulness.

Faith

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Last night, Russell and I met with a young woman who chose life for her unborn child. Just a couple of months ago, she went into our local pregnancy center not sure what she was going to do. Through God's own light and the help of amazing people at LifeTalk, she made the decision to keep this precious baby boy.

After we left, I got to thinking about how amazing God works through unexpected situations in our lives. It doesn't matter where someone might be in there life financially, spiritually, or emotionally, God always works for our good. All he asks of us is that we have faith the size of a mustard seed; and He will do great things in our lives.

Having faith in God is the key to removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. There is no doubt in my mind this woman followed God's voice and faith in her circumstances. What appeared impossible in her power was possible with God.

As we loaded up the baby bed in her car, she continued to thank us for meeting her and helping her; I couldn’t help but thank the Lord for helping me see faith in action through someone else.

But without faith, it is impossible to please God. For whoever approaches God must believe that he exist, and the he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:16