My Grandmother is ... Praying for Me

The Start of a New Focus

mygrandmotheris — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:14:59 +0000

Happy New Year to all our readers! As we have often said when we are writing our blog, we are three very ordinary grandmothers who have been blessed to have the privilege of writing and speaking about our involvement in the lives of our grandchildren. We intended to continue our blog just after January 1^st, but “life” got in the way. My father passed away at the beginning of the month and it was a difficult time for my family. Pam and Susan have also had events in their lives that have kept them away from home and busy caring for others. We are thankful for each other and for the community of believers that continue to support us in our journey of faith.

Our blogs this year are going to be a bit different. We will be focusing each week on the “topic of the month” and scripture verses from our book, My Grandmother is… praying for me. We hope that this will be an encouragement to you and will give you words and tools to help you pray more specifically for your family members and loved ones.

In January the topic is Faithfulness. We so passionately want our grandchildren to live lives of faithfulness – committed to God and to the community of believers. The verse on January 4^th is from Proverbs 25:19 and states “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.” It is important for us to pray that our family members will be faithful to the Lord, be a faithful friend to others, and that they will find friends who are faithful – upon whom they can rely in times of trouble. But it is equally important that our family members know that the Lord is ALWAYS faithful – that they can turn to Him at any time, for any reason, and He will be there. I recently experienced that reality as I walked through the process of saying goodbye to my father. I was surrounded by people who loved me, cared for me and supported me, but there was only One who knew the depth of my feeling and loss. It was in my greatest need that the Lord comforted and cared for me – giving me words to say and bringing scriptures to my mind that gave me strength, courage and love.

As you go through this week, I pray that you will ask the Lord to make those you love faithful to others and to the Lord. I trust you might also ask that He will bring them faithful friends and make His faithfulness and care known to them. And, I also pray, that you can rejoice as you see Him answer those prayers.

Have a good week,

Kathy

Christmas Struggles

mygrandmotheris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:13:23 +0000

I wished I loved Christmas. All around me, I hear people proclaim their love of this season. “I love Christmas carols!” “I love presents!” “I love decorating the tree!” I even heard someone on the radio announce “I love fruitcake!” At this time of year, my worst attitudes seem to emerge. I am frustrated by the crowds at the shopping centers; I am irritated when I can’t find a parking spot; I am tired of Jingle Bells and Rudolph representing the spirit of the season; I am annoyed that the perfect presents are elusive; I am disappointed that my family is once again scattered for the holiday; and I am mildly chagrined that fruitcake only adds to the weight I typically gain. For me, life only seems to become more challenging at the holiday time.

The Biblical Christmas probably wasn’t easy. Instead of a crowded shopping mall, it was the inns in Bethlehem that were crowded. Instead of fighting for a parking spot, the camels may have knocked each other off the busy byway. Instead of being home with family in Nazareth, Mary and Joseph were fending for themselves in a strange town. And there was only one present given that cold winter night, but it was, indeed, the perfect present. It was the gift from God Himself – the gift of His Son.

I allow myself to be sidetracked at Christmas. I admit it is my fault – I try to please others, I try to look like the perfect parent, or perfect friend, and I want to do it all “right.” My emotions easily ride the roller coaster of joy and sorrow. But, somehow, in the end, I know I am not really supposed to love all the trappings of Christmas. Instead, I am supposed to love the very first Christmas gift that was ever given – Christ Himself. As I take a deep breath and picture the quiet manger scene, my heart begins to calm and I am awed by the miraculous wonder of it all.

As Christmas day approaches, I pray that you, too, can escape the flurry of activity and at least for a moment stand in awe at the wonder of God Himself becoming man. May your Christmas be filled with the simple joy of knowing Christ and celebrating His birth.

Kathy

Christmas Commercialization?

mygrandmotheris — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:18:01 +0000

Several years back the criticism of the commercialization of Christmas seemed to dominate the media at this time of year. And, perhaps there were good reasons for the criticism. But, as time continues (until the Lord’s return) our perspectives change, don’t they?

This time of year seems to bring out the tender places in our hearts – much like Scrooge in The Christmas Carol. We find ourselves wanting to give and wanting to share. Isn’t this really a seed planted by God Himself? He gave His Son – He originated the idea of giving and sharing. WOW! What a concept that the Lord of the universe originated the plan for our giving to others because He gave first.

So, as we shop and bake and do all the other things to share with others, let’s take a fresh look at why we give. And, in doing so, give thanks for the blessing of knowing Jesus, and ALL He freely gives to us – salvation and eternal life.

Joyful giving and many blessings,

Susan

The Extraordinary Ordinary

mygrandmotheris — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:35:42 +0000

This past week I was standing in the toy aisle with list firmly in hand. From my list I learned that she is 7 years old and in the first grade. Her favorite color is pink, and she really wants a princess doll. No, this is not the Christmas list for one of my granddaughters. This is the “wish list” from one of the millions of children whose parents cannot afford gifts this Christmas.

I made my selections, drove home and promptly began wrapping the presents. As I did so I wondered, does this really matter? In the grand scheme of things, does it make a difference to give a little child a few Christmas gifts? Their problems seem so insurmountable. How could such an ordinary thing as Christmas gifts from a stranger possibly help?

It is quite clear Jesus has an answer to such questions. Have you ever noticed how the Creator of the Universe is very interested in the ordinary common things of life? He talks about cups of water given to little ones in His name. He tells his disciples to feed food to the hungry crowds. He takes a towel and washes the feet of his followers.

But even more than these expressions by Jesus is the presence of Jesus Himself. What was the sign the angel told the shepherds? Was it to go to a palace or a temple? Look for a mighty man of valor? No! The sign was a baby in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. A baby in a feeding trough? This was to be the Messiah? The Savior of the world? Our Savior was to have a babyhood, a boyhood and grow up just like the rest of us? How ordinary is that?

That is just the point! Jesus set aside the glories of heaven and stepped into our world (His world!) and took on ordinary human flesh with all the trappings that go with it.

Of course, for those of us who think man is the apex of it all, we can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be absolutely excited to be a man. But if you were God? Imagine. To be God and come down the birth canal, to be laid in a manger, to live as an outcast, to die as a stranger, to bear the abuse and curse of the law. . . (Alistair Begg)

Yes, I think Jesus would be delighted for us to give these very ordinary presents to little children in celebration of His birth. In my hands such things remain quite ordinary. But in the hands of Jesus they become powerful instruments of His mercy and grace. Check out the web site below and see what I mean.

http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2011/12/the-flute-the-5-year-old/

Blessings to all of you and a very Merry Christmas!

Pam

Heading back to Kindergarten

mygrandmotheris — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:02:49 +0000

This past week we were in Virginia celebrating Thanksgiving with my daughter, her husband, and their three girls. My oldest granddaughter, Katie, is now a kindergartener and she had to attend school for the first three days of Thanksgiving week. On Monday mornings, my daughter volunteers in Katie’s art class as “the parent assistant.” Last Monday, I was graciously asked if I also wanted to volunteer and thus, excitedly, became “the grandparent assistant.” It had been many years since I had been with a class of kindergarteners and it was fun! The subject of the day was sculpture and the children used a toy called “Toobers and Zotz” to build their own structures and designs. There was an animated discussion about a two-dimensional art piece vs. a three-dimensional art piece. All this in kindergarten!

As I looked around at Katie’s classmates, I was struck by the diversity. There must have been students from at least 10 different ethnicities. There were students of all different complexions – from snowy white to deep brown – as well as different sizes and shapes. It reminded me a bit of what heaven will be like. These students were together with a united purpose – to enjoy the class – to learn, to appreciate the teacher and have fun together. In heaven, believers of all ethnicities and all diversities will come together with a united purpose – to glorify God and enjoy His presence and the presence of other believers. As we get bogged down in the busyness of this season, I hope that we can all keep an eternal perspective – the gifts we give and receive may be meaningful and fun, but they are temporal. The greatest gift we can give is to share the love of Christ and His message of salvation this Christmas season.

Have a great week,

Kathy

Thanksgiving Joy

mygrandmotheris — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:03:19 +0000

Thanksgiving Joy. What does that conjure up in your mind? Paul wrote in Thessalonians

“In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Does it mean really to give thanks for the cancer, for the death of a loved one, for loss of relationships, for loss of health, for financial reversals, for newly acquired responsibilities that are challenging? Yes. It is an admonishment from the Lord to give thanks in everything.

As we celebrate this season of Thanksgiving by remembering those who left their homeland to come to a promised land of freedom, we should really celebrate Christ who left His heavenly home and came to give us freedom!

May our days be filled with Thanks-living – living with grateful hearts for all the richness of the life we live – even in the hard places.

Blessings,

Susan

Tell the Story

mygrandmotheris — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:41:06 +0000

Recently I was in the local school supply store here in Nashville looking for Thanksgiving stickers and books for my fourth grade students. After looking for several minutes among the seasonal and holiday material, I finally gave up and sought the help of the store clerk.

“Could you tell me where I would find the Thanksgiving materials? Things like Pilgrims and Indians or the Mayflower?” The clerk looked at me rather puzzled, and said, “I don’t think we have anything like that, but we do have pumpkins and scarecrows.”

Later I was relating this experience to a friend who owns a Christian book store and she promptly told me Thanksgiving is being squeezed out by Halloween and Christmas. She said the Thanksgiving story of the Pilgrims has slowly but surely been rewritten. Rather than “thankfulness” expressed to their Creator, the Pilgrims’ thankfulness is being redirected toward the Indians. Even when the Pilgrims are mentioned, there is little emphasis on their Christian faith or the hardships they were willing to endure for religious freedom.

This has gotten me to thinking how important it is for us to tell the real story of Thanksgiving to our grandchildren. Our grandchildren need to hear how in 1620, 122 men, women, boys, and girls left Plymouth, England, and were willing to brave 66 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean cramped inside a merchant ship called The Mayflower. They need to understand the sacrifice made by this small but very courageous group of people. A sacrifice which meant over half of them would not survive the first winter in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts.

In November, 1621, William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth Colony declared a feast to give thanks to God for the Pilgrims’ first harvest. Over 90 Wampanoag Indians were invited to join the 52 remaining Pilgrims in a feast. Were the Pilgrims grateful to these Native Americans for all their help? Of course! They were particularly thankful for Squanto, a keen-eyed Patuxet, who shared his knowledge and ways of growing corn, beans, and squash. Together the Pilgrims and Indians shared in a Thanksgiving feast that lasted three days.

Our children and grandchildren need to hear this story again and again. It is only because of God’s gracious providence working in the lives of these forefathers and mothers that we have the freedoms we do today. Let’s not forget.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pam

Long distance Grandparenting

mygrandmotheris — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:25:46 +0000

There are days when many Grandmothers really dislike living a distance from their grandchildren. Yesterday was one of those days for me. My grandchildren have been sick. It started with the oldest, bringing some bug home from school, then the youngest became ill and finally the middle child succumbed to the hacking cough, fever and lethargy. When I called to say hello and ask how their neighborhood Halloween party had gone, I just heard a lot of coughing in the background. Ellie, the middle child, said she was too sick to go to the party and that all she wanted to do was stay home. All I wanted to do was be there to hug her, read her stories and stay until she felt better.

I find being a long distance Grandmother a difficult challenge. I can tell my grandchildren that I love them and that I am praying for them. I can blow them kisses over the phone and ask about their days. But I can’t just hold them. It reminds me of the Old Testament story of Jacob as he and his wives, Rachel and Leah, left his father-in-law, Laban. Genesis 31 describes how Jacob gathered his wives, his children, and his livestock and left without notice to go back to the land of his fathers. Laban was angry at Jacob for leaving and pursued him. Gen. 31:28 says that Laban said to Jacob “you didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and daughters good bye.” Now, I know that Laban had seemingly mistreated Jacob and that God was calling Jacob back to his homeland. But, I also know how much Laban was going to miss his family. He wanted to be able to kiss his grandchildren and to surround himself with those he loved most. He tricked and deceived to achieve his ends and, while I don’t agree with his methods, I understand his desire. I would love to have my grandchildren and children near me.

Philippians 4:4 reminds me to rejoice in the Lord always – not just when things are going my way, or when I seemingly understand the circumstances that surround me, or when I am perfectly content, but at all times. So, my mindset today has been on rejoicing. Rejoicing that God is good, that He is in control of all things, that He loves my children and grandchildren more than I do, that He is the sovereign Comforter, that He has a perfect plan for each of us and that He alone is the author of all of our stories. I pray that no matter how you’re feeling today, that you can set your mind to the discipline of rejoicing.

Have a blessed week,
Kathy

Unexpected Encounters

mygrandmotheris — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:32:07 +0000

I was settling in to a nice quiet and restful Saturday evening when the phone rang – yes, it was from the LA area….and yes, it was a friend whom we hear from occasionally. “Susan, Tyler and two of his buddies are driving from California to Chattanooga and they are running a bit behind time and are wondering if they might spend the night at y’all’s house?” I paused and thought “there goes the remainder of my quiet and restful Saturday evening.” Then I spoke, “Sure, give them our number and we’ll have beds ready when they arrive.”

So I set about making ready for 3 young men….fresh towels, linens on all the beds, etc. They arrived after my bedtime hour but I faintly heard the door closed when they came in.

Sunday morning sunshine arrives and Tyler is up and comes down for a visit and casually mentions the Dutch pancakes we used to have when his family came to visit…..so, out come the ingredients for the Dutch pancakes. Then the two other young men join us for coffee, breakfast, and mainly conversation. And, that’s when the unexpected encounter happened. All three young men began asking questions about my journey of faith. As we talked and shared the probing questions surfaced again and again….”Why do you believe______? What encouraged you in _______? What has your experience been in _______?
How do you see the current culture handling ______?” On and on. It was such a special time to me of being on the witness stand for Jesus – at least in a conversational way.

The amazing thing to me were the notes the men left behind and the texts I’ve received this week from them. Unexpected encounters…..I’m reminded of the verse to “always be ready to give a good account for the hope that is in you.”

Blessings on your week,

From Here to Eternity

mygrandmotheris — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:00:56 +0000

There is a new exhibit at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts here in Nashville. It is called To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum. This is a marvelous exhibit with over a hundred objects, thousands of year’s old, which were meant to help people reach the afterlife and remain there through eternity. The works range from sculptures to human mummies, and offer to its contemporary audience insight into the belief system of the Egyptians, the royals as well as its lower class.

While the ancient Egyptian understanding of the afterlife was complex, at its core was the denial of death’s finality. This civilization which lasted over 3000 years had quite an elaborate system of rituals required to insure safe passage into the afterlife. Things like music, dancing, and animal sacrifices. Their salvation into the next life was dependent upon their own works as determined by their many gods. The symbol of their salvation was the scale, weighing the good versus the bad.

Walking through this exhibit has given me much food for thought. It is so obvious from this ancient civilization how the human spirit yearns for significance and purpose. They were obsessed with the desire to live and be known even after their physical bodies had died. What is it about the human heart that rejects the idea of death? If human beings are nothing more than a collection of molecules which developed because of time plus chance, where did this desire to not only survive but to live forever come from? I can’t help but think of a quote by C.S. Lewis:

“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world”

Could it be that human beings were created and designed to live and not to die? That there is a life beyond this one? As a modern person this desire of these ancient people resonates with my soul. I, too, want my life to have meaning and significance beyond the grave. How that is achieved, however, differs greatly from the ancient Egyptians.The symbol I look to for my salvation into the next life is not the scale, but the cross (John Stott). If my works in this life were weighed against the perfect holiness of my Creator, I would be found wanting every time. But, thanks be to God, there is One whose life can be weighed without fault or lack. It is because of Jesus that I will be transported from here to eternity. And what a grand reunion that will be!!

Blessings to you this week,

Pam