I Remember Grandma (Part II)

The sobering necessity of scriptures like today’s title verse must have been continually reinforced throughout my grandmother’s life. Christ followers develop a growing appreciation for the multiple encouragements found in God’s Word, for we’re blessed as we trust and obey His precepts. As in the case of Bible verses I memorized as a new convert to Christ, on up to the present, the message of my grandmother’s stories and testimony have only reinforced my
motivation to find strength, hope, and renewed encouragement in God’s Life Manual, the Bible.
I recall one such account shared by Grandma in which she was washing the dishes at her kitchen sink, and observed through her window some kids approaching a little girl. The latter sauntered along minding her own business. The others began to push her around and call her horrible names—a scene as old as the human race, you could say. No--bullying did not start amongst our youth in the late 20th or 21st century; and did you know that there’s even a training course on bullying in the public (government) workplace? Adult bullies! (Talk about arrested development and “seared consciences”)!

After Grandmother witnessed what was happening, she yelled out of her window for the aggressors to leave that kid alone! I don’t recall her saying that her attempted intervention worked; but after witnessing that incident, she admittedly revised her previous belief that if you minded your own business, no one would bother you! Folk don’t need a valid reason to revile or hate! People hated our Savior; they’ll likewise mistreat you and me, without cause
(John 15:18-21). Her respect for what her own kids faced in their time away from her increased dramatically. It finetuned her daily wisdom instructions to them.

My dear grandmother imparted the Gospel of Jesus Christ as best she knew how, and I have no doubt that she prayed for me to be found by Him. It delighted her heart exceedingly during the last four years of her life to know that I’d been found by her Savior and mine. What a legacy! What joyful expectation, to see our Savior in heaven and Grandmother, too!

PRAYER: Precious LORD, thank You for giving us the accounts of individuals in Your word and godly souls in our lives, like my Christ-loving Grandma who, despite their imperfections, help us to find joy, peace, and security through a personal relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ ! AMEN!
By Sis. Denise Diggs