The Faith of

My Grandparents

 

 

Somewhere in time, the week before last, the paperback version of my first printed book became available.  I have a sweet cousin who ordered the book, but she thought it might be about our grandparents.  Well it isn’t, but I did use their names.  The book is set in the 30’s and they were young adults during that era, so that made me first think of their names. I also respect them, so I thought I might honor their memory by using their names.

My grandmother died when I was twelve, but I remember her from when I was young.  She used to make me special treats.  If she made chocolate pudding for everyone, she would make me a small amount of vanilla.  I’m allergic to chocolate and she didn’t want me to miss out on a treat.  She started to teach me how to sew. I made a simple elastic waist skirt under her tutelage.  She made me feel special.  She once told me I was like her and it felt nice to hear it.    

My grandfather was another matter altogether.  He didn’t spend time doing things with us.  He was a minister and I remember asking him when I was about seven years old if I could be baptized.  He told me to read the entire Bible and check back with him.  I believe he thought I was too young to make such a decision – I disagree, I knew what I wanted to do.

I was reading some memoirs he left and something stuck out in my mind.  He didn’t start out life planning on becoming a minister; the thought may have never crossed his mind.  My grandmother got really sick early in their marriage and almost died.  This caused him to really question God.  Church was something he did because he was supposed to, but now he wanted answers.  The pastor at the church where he attended couldn’t give him the answer he needed, so he went searching. 

Hebrews 11:6

 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

God rewarded my grandfather’s search. 

When my grandfather found the Lord and obtained his own personal relationship with our creator, it changed him. 

He was not perfect, but he loved God and did his best to serve him.  Because of his and my grandmother’s faith, all of his children – my father, my aunts and uncles were people of faith. Their faith impacted my generation as well. 


It’s an amazing ripple effect when one life touches others. 

When I titled my book “A Legacy for Martha” – I was thinking of the legacy left by my grandparents.  No inheritance, but a legacy of faith – and that is by far a greater treasure.