Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The Most Influential Woman in my Life...

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”
~Proverbs 31:30-31 (NLT)~

My grandma was an amazing woman.  She had a faith that was more steadfast than anything I’d ever imagined.  Her relationship with God wasn’t just something she believed in, it was the very core of who she was.
She was tough as nails and as wise, comforting and gentle as they come.

She taught me most everything I know about being a lady- about being strong, independent, but not proud or boastful.
She was my biggest fan- my biggest supporter and these days, I think I miss her the most.
To know her was to love her, her quick wit and undeniable ability to always make you smile, and her simplistic way of viewing the world and seeing the good in spite of all the bad, made her incredibly special.

She left this place 5 years ago today with a weighty piece of our hearts with her.
She did leave us with some wisdom though:

*      She taught us that most importantly out of everything that we could ever do with our lives, a relationship with the Lord was vital. 
*      She showed us that no matter how many times we broke her heart, disappointed her, her love for us was completely unconditional.
*      She taught us that hard work never killed anyone, even though we think we might be the first.
*      She taught us to appreciate the little things in life.
*      She taught us how to kill snakes.
*      She taught us to expect the unexpected.
*      She taught us to stop and just feel the breeze on a cool spring morning.  To watch the birds, and reminded us that God Himself feeds even the sparrows.
*      She taught us to be practical.
*      She showed us courage.  That it was alright to be afraid, but we don’t have to live our lives that way.
*      She taught us to never be quick to judge another, that we don’t really know their heart, only God does and it is up to Him to pass judgment.
*      She showed us grace and mercy, and sometimes, unending patience.
*      She showed us the importance of time.  That there is always time to visit.
*      She taught us that life is just too short, that it’s alright to hurt, but you must move forward and do the things that make us happy.
*      She taught us independence and to not worry about what others thought of us.
*      She taught us the importance of family and that laughter cures a lot of heartaches.
*      She taught us hymns and that it’s alright to sing loud enough for people to hear you- especially if you’re off-key.
*      She showed us wisdom and support.
*      She taught us that just because you get hurt by someone or something, doesn’t mean that it’s alright to hold onto that hurt forever.
*      She showed us endurance with her 98 years here on this earth.
*      She taught us that anything we can make with our own two hands, is more valuable than anything store-bought.
*      She taught us how to make hot rolls, fried pies, apple butter, and pumpkin pies out of practically nothing.
*      But most importantly, she taught us how to love.

I can only hope to be half the woman she was- to love the way she did- and have the impact on people’s lives the way she did.

Blessin’s Y’all!

Pamela

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