The Strength of Family Pride

Before I get to the post, I wanted to provide a brief update on the progress we're making with the yard project.

The front rock landscaping is complete, giving the area a polished look with no weeds! We had just enough materials for this side. Next, we’ll finish the brick edging and focus on potted plants and seasonal flowers for color. Additionally, we need to finish the painting of the wood trim around the windows to enhance the home's curb appeal.

We've bought the drip nozzles and lines for the sprinkler system, which will streamline our watering and help maintain a nice yard with less effort as we get older.

I still need to disassemble and reassemble the old side table, but I'm making progress. I plan to finish painting it, front and back, by the end of June.

Now on to the post

The Strength of Family Pride

Nannie

On her wedding day, as she stood on the cusp of a new life, her nine children and thirty-three grandchildren were merely a twinkle in my Grandpa's eye. At just 18 years old, she was a devoted young woman from the eastern Tennessee mountains, whose roots were deeply intertwined with the land. She married a coal miner, a man whose hands bore the strength of hard labor.  Throughout it all, she maintained a profound steadfast faith in the Lord, which grounded her in the midst of life's challenges and joys.

She devoted herself to raising her children in the ways of the Lord. Yet, as life often reveals, all nine of them would stray from the path, lured by their own interests and temptations. That must have hurt her.  After Grandma passed, a quiet transformation took place; one by one, her children, found their way back to the faith that she had so fervently nurtured. It was a silent testament to her enduring influence, but not without a twinge of sorrow. During those years of wandering, her children had not raised their children, to love Jesus as she had hoped.

Although I may not have been as fortunate as others to share her everyday company, her presence loomed large in my heart like a beacon of love and wisdom. There was always something about her.  Each summer, our family would return.  I began the sweet exchange of letters -  Those precious notes, beautifully penned in her handwriting, overflowed with heartfelt advice and warmth—a guiding light urging me to reconcile my spirit with Jesus before the trumpet sounds and calls us home. With gentle reminders, she inspired me to prepare for that glorious moment of meeting Him in the air, a thought that was foreign to me. 

As the years passed, all of us cousins found ourselves traversing the landscape of adulthood, and most of us have gradually awakened to the Jesus we weren’t taught about growing up. Yet, deep within my heart, I  recognized that my Grandma’s prayers resonated through the years, and He, in His infinite compassion, heard her heartfelt cries for her grandchildren. 

Terry with Kay Arthur who was a mother figure to her throughout her journey

I’ve mentioned my cousin, Terry, before. She’s a Christian author and the host of a local TV show in Nashville, Tennessee, where her passion for the Lord shines brightly. She is one of my cousins whom Grandma prayed for.  Every time I see her, I can’t help but feel that Grandma is smiling down, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, pleased with all that Terry has accomplished in service to God.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a recent interview that took me completely by surprise. Typically, she occupies the role of an interviewer, expertly steering conversations with her grace and poise. However, this time, the tables were turned; she found herself in the hot seat, offering a candid glimpse into her journey. With each revelation, she unveiled layers of her experiences that I had never heard before, illuminating her path with authenticity.

I couldn't be prouder of her. From the very beginning, I knew she was truly exceptional. As a member of a triplet trio, she shared a unique bond with her two brothers that is unlike any other. Recently, she faced the heartbreaking loss of one of her brothers. In this challenging time, her strength and spirit shine even brighter, reminding me of the incredible person she is.

It is the first half of the video. 

One of her books 

 

As many of you are aware, I haven't been blessed with the joy of grandchildren. However, I know that several of you have experienced this wonderful blessing, and I sincerely hope that you are embracing your role as a praying Grandma.

Understanding the significance of prayer in a child's life is crucial; it is truly one of the most profound and cherished gifts you can offer to your grandchild(ren). Your prayers can be a guiding light, nurturing their spirits and shaping their paths as they navigate through life’s journey.

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Grandma: "Church is essential."

Grandma's child - "Church is optional"

Grandma's Grandchild - "Church is unnecessary." 

Great-Grandchild - "Jesus, who?" 

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

2 Timothy 1;5