Monday, July 4, 2011

Reflections of a July 4th Victory

Today is a day we celebrate freedom. Legacy. We celebrate those who fought and died for our homes. But what of those who fight the battles of everyday life? Those who have won the victory, freedom in Christ? Those who have fought for the souls of their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren? They are often forgotten.
I knew a woman who fought the good fight. A year ago today she went home to freedom. To her Country. People don't realize the impact they can make on other's lives. I know that Mamaw didn't. Some people say they're Christians, others live it. It's those that live as Christ-followers that leave legacies.
My great-grandmother knew that we were in a battle. Every night she would pray for her family. If she fell asleep before she had prayed for everyone, she would pray again from the beginning. She left a legacy of prayer.
She encouraged me to create, and never laughed at my measly attempts to craft beauty out of hot glue, yarn, and styrofoam. She told me to use my hands to glorify God.
I watched Mamaw forgive the unforgivable. She knew that though there were things she didn't understand, God would work all things for good to His glory. She encouraged others to view things from His perspective.
Frequently you don't realize the value of someone until you've lost them. I know I didn't treasure enough the gift of knowing her. I would be so grateful to talk to her again, to listen to her stories, hear her praying for me. But I'm so grateful for her legacy of prayer, of running the race well, of loving her family.
Before she died, Mamaw kept saying that she had to get up, that she wanted to go to church. I wish I could have seen her excitement to enter her Country to forever worship God. She won the victory.
I can't wait to see her there.
(My family with Mamaw on her 99th birthday)

" O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" ~1 Cor. 15:55

1 comments:

a penney for your thoughts said...

Someday your great-grandchildren will tell stories about YOU, and they will be stories of faithfulness, courage, creativity, wordsmithing, beauty, and adventure. God will be pleased!

Reflections of a July 4th Victory

Today is a day we celebrate freedom. Legacy. We celebrate those who fought and died for our homes. But what of those who fight the battles of everyday life? Those who have won the victory, freedom in Christ? Those who have fought for the souls of their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren? They are often forgotten.
I knew a woman who fought the good fight. A year ago today she went home to freedom. To her Country. People don't realize the impact they can make on other's lives. I know that Mamaw didn't. Some people say they're Christians, others live it. It's those that live as Christ-followers that leave legacies.
My great-grandmother knew that we were in a battle. Every night she would pray for her family. If she fell asleep before she had prayed for everyone, she would pray again from the beginning. She left a legacy of prayer.
She encouraged me to create, and never laughed at my measly attempts to craft beauty out of hot glue, yarn, and styrofoam. She told me to use my hands to glorify God.
I watched Mamaw forgive the unforgivable. She knew that though there were things she didn't understand, God would work all things for good to His glory. She encouraged others to view things from His perspective.
Frequently you don't realize the value of someone until you've lost them. I know I didn't treasure enough the gift of knowing her. I would be so grateful to talk to her again, to listen to her stories, hear her praying for me. But I'm so grateful for her legacy of prayer, of running the race well, of loving her family.
Before she died, Mamaw kept saying that she had to get up, that she wanted to go to church. I wish I could have seen her excitement to enter her Country to forever worship God. She won the victory.
I can't wait to see her there.
(My family with Mamaw on her 99th birthday)

" O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" ~1 Cor. 15:55

1 comments:

  1. Someday your great-grandchildren will tell stories about YOU, and they will be stories of faithfulness, courage, creativity, wordsmithing, beauty, and adventure. God will be pleased!

     
 

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