Before Grandma was scheduled to have surgery to remove the cancer within her body, many of us wrote letters that she could read as encouragement while she was in the hospital. I was asked to share this letter with you that I wrote:
Grandma,
Today you need to know how much I love you and am so thankful to call you my grandmother. You are such a beautiful woman, both inside and out. You are so strong and are the rock of our family. Thank you for teaching us what love is and showing us what it feels like to be so loved. You have helped me become who I am. I have had one of those days where I wonder how other mothers do what they do. Being a mother and doing it well is hard work! I often think about how you did all you did and how my mom did all she did. However you did it, you did it well! I pray I can be the kind of mother that you are and taught my mother to be! I have always admired your calm nature with your husband, children and grandchildren. There is so much I am seeking to display in my own life that I have seen you display. There is no greater calling in life than to be a wife and mother. You and my mother have shown me what it is to embrace both rolls and to make them my priority.
Thank you.
I love you,
Karoline
Grandma has given us the gift of generational faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7 it says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.”
The statistics are overwhelmingly clear that if we do not lead our children intentionally, passionately, fervently, to know God and love Him while they are in our homes, the likelihood of them giving their lives to Christ later in life is slim. Why is this? It is because God has given the greatest responsibility and power of evangelism to parents. The very nature of who grandma was was an impression on her children, grandchildren, and all those around her.
I remember a plaque that Grandma had hanging in her kitchen at the A-frame in Lexington. It was Proverbs 31 and is my first memory of what the Bible has to say about what a Godly wife and mother is. I would like to read it to you, because it is a very accurate description of who Grandma was!
10A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thank you Grandma for giving our family the gift of faith displayed through the love of your Savior, your friends and your family!
Grandma is receiving her reward and she so badly wants us all to be there to enjoy it with her someday!
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