I am so excited today to introduce all of you to my precious grandmother. She will be 91 years old tomorrow! A lot of who I am comes from her: red hair (although hers has grayed now), independence, love of coffee, work ethic, sarcastic humor, penchant for expressing my opinion, and a little bit of sassiness. Her impact on my life is immeasurable. She brought me lemonade when I was sick because I was convinced it made me better. She was my companion on many good rock hunting expeditions. She endured endless projects and crafts without losing her mind. She taught me how to cook a roast. But her greatest impact on my life is as a spiritual mentor. She is a genuine model of Psalm 78:4-7.
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands.”
I was able to visit Grandma last week. It was a hard visit in some respects. Grandma had a stroke a couple of months ago and now gets confused about a lot of things. She forgets what day it is and takes her medication at the wrong times. But during our visit, we spoke about how I feel God is calling me to come alongside women who are hurting, women who are lonely, women who need to surrender their plans and dreams and trust God’s perfect wisdom. I told her that I felt compelled to share my story with the hope that others might draw closer to Him.
And she wasn’t confused at all.
She quoted verses to me from Titus about the importance of older women teaching and imparting their experience and understanding. She talked about her past roles as a Sunday School teacher and as a leader amid the wives of the church deacons. She reminded me that ministry and our ability to help others is often born in our deepest sufferings. At 91, with a stroke-impaired mind, Grandma was still telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord and of His power. She was teaching her children.
In reflecting on this visit, I have thought a lot about whether or not the church takes this responsibility as seriously today as it once did. The last commandment Jesus gave us was to make disciples. So often, however, we believe that commandment is fulfilled at conversion, when a non-believer first makes the decision to follow Christ. But a disciple is both a follower and a learner–someone who seeks to absorb the teaching of and imitate the life of their master. It is not a one-time event. Are those who are more mature in the faith making disciples by intentionally and regularly pouring the truth of God’s word into the lives of newer Christ-followers? Jen Wilkin addresses this need from a female perspective, but I think it is also true of men.
“The church needs mothers to care for the family of God. We must rise to our responsibility, eagerly searching for whom the Lord would have us nurture. There is no barrenness among believing women. Through the gospel, all become mothers in their maturity. And unlike biological motherhood, spiritual motherhood holds the potential for hundreds, even thousands of descendants. Older women in the faith, do you recognize the vital importance of your influence and example?”
I hope to be like my grandmother when I grow up–never believing my work is done, always seeking every opportunity to faithfully declare the goodness of our God, doing my best to live the truth of the Gospel so that future generations will trust in Him and not forget His commands. And I challenge you as well–who needs the hard-earned wisdom and faith that you hold within you?
Thank you for your legacy of faith, Grandma. I love you. And Happy Birthday.
I so love this Jennifer! Marylou is such an inspiration to us all! Very loving and touching to me this morning! Love my family!! Happy Birthday tomorrow Marylou!
Karen–
We are indeed blessed to be part of such a great family! Thank you!
Thank you, Jennifer….well said. And it’s a reminder to me the importance of passing the faith along to the next generation….being about the Father’s business. Thanks again!
Thank you, Tricia. I am so thankful to all of the spiritual mothers and fathers who invested in my life!
This is beautiful, Jennifer. I was fortunate to have your grandparents as mentors and Sunday School teachers. Loved going to their home for fellowships and meals! Mary Lou is an amazing Godly woman. I, too, learned so much from her.❤
I remember all of you cool high school and college kids hanging out at the farm when I was younger! It’s really staggering to think of the eternal impact that has come and will continue to come from their hospitality and their desire to use their home and farm to invest in so many.
Jennifer, thank you for sharing your grandmother’s example with us. May we follow Christ as she has done, running the race well.
And one day we might be grandmothers! What?!
Jennifer, I enjoyed your story about your grandmother so much. It is always enjoyable talking with her every time our paths cross. Most people know that we also share a grandson, so we have even more to talk about when we do see each other.
I remember stopping by her house to pick up my grandson, and she had a big blackberry cobbler fresh from the oven, sitting on the stove. She had baked it for someone at her church and I am certain this was something she did frequently. I was told by the grandson we share, that SHE makes the best blackberry cobbler.
She is absolutely one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known and you are all greatly blessed to have such a wonderful person in your family.
Thank you, Pat! He is right–her blackberry cobbler is tops! Cooking and baking has definitely always been a part of her ministry. She has the gift of hospitality! Thanks for sharing.