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We are to invest wisely in the lives of those who mean so much to us. The
wealth of wisdom and understanding that we as adults gain through life
should not only be used for our betterment, but is to be shared to enrich
the lives of those around us. One of my favorite things to do is sit with
people who are fifty or sixty years older than me and listen to what they
have to say about life’s challenges and adventures and learn the lessons of
their experiences. I gain so much from these conversations; much more than
the one giving the lesson will ever realize and this is reason alone to
encourage us to share in what we have received throughout our life to
better the lives of those whom we love. (Proverbs 3:13-14) (Proverbs 1:5-9)
I hope this message ministers to your heart to share what you have gained
in wisdom and understanding and leave a part of yourself that will live on
in the lives of others whom you care for.
THE GIFT OF A LEGACY
She was a charter member of the church across the street. It was the church
she attended. It was the church where her funeral was held.
She held a prominent place in my life growing up. Whenever my family would
go to grandma's house, she always had a place at the table.
When I went to visit her, I was always struck by her pictures. She had
photographs of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she
knew each by name.
She had worked through tough times, loosing a mother in death at an early
age, marrying when she was 14, having a child when she was 15, working beet
campaigns for years, and surviving the loss of her husband, Walter. It was
her link to her family that sustained a zest for life.
She always told me I was her favorite great-grandchild, although I suspect
she said that to all her many great grandchildren. She would look at me
through her rose colored glasses and believed the best possible future for
me and for every other grandchild as well.
She didn't have much of a front yard which was somewhat deceiving because
when you looked out her kitchen window you could see a backyard with plenty
of grass, flowers, bird bath, shed and a small cement pond.
To a kid like me this was unexplored territory filled with textures and
sounds and adventure. I spent hours in her back yard using my imagination
to the full.
She had two small dogs that never seemed to like people much. They would
hide under the couch and rarely left their sanctuary till she was alone again.
As the years passed and I left home, trips to great-grandma's house were
few and far between. I would hear comments about her requests for me to
come for a visit and I always agreed that I should.
Diabetes caused a change in lifestyle for her. She was always partial to
ice cream, which she generously shared with guests, but diabetes meant a
change in her eating habits. Once she decided that if she mixed ice cream
and Mountain Dew, somehow the effects of sugar would be cancelled and it
would be OK for her to eat.
Eventually her health declined to such a degree that she moved to a nursing
home. Some days were better than others. She often prayed to be taken home.
I remember being told that a family reunion would take place and my wife
Nancy and I were invited. There were many relatives I hadn't seen in years.
Great Grandma remained in her bed at a nearby nursing home. I invited my
wife to join me as I visited her. Her voice was little more than a whisper,
so I gathered close and held her hand. She was emotional and told me how
much she had missed me.
I had missed her too. I was a bit uncomfortable but she kept my hand in
hers and we prayed together. She shared the story of how she came to marry
Walter, and then she drifted peacefully to rest.
I left grateful for my time with my great-grandma. Her health had declined
and her body broken and in pain. But that day her spirit blazed brightly
and that was the great-grandma I remembered.
A few months later she joined Walter in the halls of Glory. Again we had a
family reunion, this one not nearly as happy as the last. We shared stories
and memories of her life and influence. We wept.
I was a pallbearer and gathered with others on a cold winter day, snow
falling. Words of comfort were spoken and she was laid to rest. Snow soon
covered the fact that any of us had even been there.
Point Of Encouragement: In the Bible, Paul took Timothy under his wing and
became a spiritual dad to the young man, but even Paul realized that the
faith present in Timothy was fostered by his family, "...when I call to
remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your
grandmother..." (2 Timothy 1:5)
There is no amount of money that could compare with the memories this
wonderful lady gave me and the faith she fostered in my grandmother and
mom. She didn't have to, but she did and in so doing left yet another
generation better for her gift.
By Glenn A. Hascall
The Bible declares in Proverbs 3:13-14 “Happy is the man that findeth
wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it
is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine
gold.” Be encouraged to seek the wisdom of those wiser than you and use
what you have received to impart into someone else's life to make them better.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Proverbs 8:1-6 “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the
paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in
at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding
heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my
lips shall be right things.”
1 Peter 3:10-12 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let
him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the
eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their
prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen
in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: SPIRITUAL VITAMINS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem132.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: VALERIE'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony116.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
