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Girlfriends in God - June 5, 2007

June 5, 2007

Grandma’s Inheritance

By Sharon Jaynes

 

 

 

Today’s Truth

"Older women ....encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home..." (Titus 2:4-5 NASB)

 

 

Friend to Friend

My Grandma Edwards didn't have many material possessions, but she had a sharp mind, a determined spirit, and buckets full of love. She was a small framed woman who had raised a family of five children during the depression by running a tiny general store and harvesting produce from her garden. As far as I can remember, grandma was always… old. She wore her tightly braided pony tail wound around her head like a Swedish crown. I was always amazed when she took her hairpins out at night to see the gray rope unfold down her back and stop at her waist.

 

Another thing that always amazed me as a little girl was grandma's undergarments. She wore knit baggy underwear that hung down to her knees and an equally attractive T-shirt to match. I never saw these undergarments anywhere except on grandma's clothes line, so I decided there must be a special "old people store" that sold baggy underwear just for grandparents.

 

Grandma never owned a car. She never had a driver's license. When she needed groceries, she simply "telephoned" the local store, read her list written on a scrap of brown paper bag, and a few hours later a young boy would magically appear with her goods in a cardboard box. Grandma's house was filled with the aroma of strong coffee and fresh baked biscuits. There was also the scent of salve, which was the cure- all for any ailment, and of snuff, which she would sneak between her cheek and gum when she thought I wasn't looking.

 

Each summer I would spend a week at grandma's house. The highlight of our day was watching Perry Mason on her big black and white television. We drank Coca-Cola from cold glass bottles and ate peanut butter crackers. Grandma had a standing date with Perry from 3:00-4:00 pm each day. If someone "came-a-callin" during that time, they knew to pull up a chair, grab a Coke, and wait until the verdict was in before the conversation could begin.

 

During my weeks with her, there were no trips to fast food restaurants or amusement parks, no shopping sprees or excursions to the movies. That's just not what grandmas were for. So what did I do for seven days? I did what grandma did (except dip snuff). I made biscuits, shelled Lima beans, canned vegetables for the following winter, and learned how to sew.

 

When I was six years old, grandma taught me how to turn a square piece of daisy covered cloth into a gathered apron with a big bow in the back. At seven, I learned how to turn a hot pink rectangular piece of cotton into a jumper with big ball buttons on the straps. At eight, we conquered the zipper.

 

Without realizing it, my grandmother was being a Titus 2 woman. "Older women ....encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home..." It was her inheritance to me.

 

Leaving an inheritance to our children is so much more than money in the bank, well invested mutual funds, and heirlooms of silver and jewels. It is leaving them memories of simple times together, instructing them in how to become a man or woman of God, and leaving a legacy which causes them to "rise up and call you blessed."

 

 

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I pray that you will make me a woman who leaves a godly heritage to my child. Help me always to remember what is important – not money in the bank, but God in the heart. Help me to be the type of woman that we read about in Titus chapter two who exemplifies what You desire. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

Now It’s Your Turn

Think of a woman who was a Titus 2 woman in your life and write her a letter of thanks.

What do you want your children to remember about you when you are gone?

What do you want your children to think is important in this life?

How does your lifestyle reflect what you have just written?

 

 

More From the Girlfriends

Sometimes it is difficult to keep priorities in order, and our kids are watching to see what we really believe is important in life. If you struggle keeping life in proper perspective, you’ll want to read A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by Sharon Jaynes and Lysa Terkeurst. Visit www.sharonjaynes.com to learn more.

 

 

 

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