…how great Thou art!
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What does it mean to say yes to the World Race America?
It means pledging myself to community, -again
It means relying on the Lords provision – again
It means saying “no” to good things for the better journey of obedience, and invitation – again
– good things like certainty and stability and family time and friend time and income and individuality and freedom -again
It means being on the east coast as my Grandmother passed away on the west coast.
.
This is a deep loss. Yes, she was 98, but I was really close to her and she is the first person in my immediate family to pass away. She was the stable person in our family that always created family. She was a pillar of wisdom and joy and love.
She loved the Lord and exuded His character. (1 Corinthians 13)
She will be deeply and bitterly missed.
……
A few years ago, I lived with my Grandparents and helped them out as age took it’s tole on their norms.
I remember different struggles I wrestled with entering a world where I wanted to be as helpful as possible without upsetting their lives. I didn’t really know how to helpfully enter without allowing my help to make them feel the disparaging losses they were experiencing – and was constantly trying to figure that out. My Grandmother would always patiently take time to listen and speak encouragement.
One time I was doing dishes, and I just stopped and let the water run down the drain as I stared out the window, biting my lip.
“I just feel bad,” I sighed. “I think I’m driving Grandad crazy!”
“Oh honey!” my Grandmother waved her boney hand dismissively, a twinkle in her grey eyes. “I think he went that way a loooong time ago!”
She always had a way of making you laugh even when you were the most frustrated.
……
I’m so grateful that she went peacefully,
I’m so grateful I had 2 years getting to know her on an intimate level
I’m so grateful that she didn’t suffer through a long decline
I’m so grateful she retained her grit and humor and sparkle of life till the end
…….
Many times I wished that I’d known her as a young lady – that we could have grown up together and been friends. That we could have gotten into mischief together. That I could have known and experienced her in her prime.
…Being here with these 9 (world race america team) people is such a privilege.
I am getting what their grandchildren never will.
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PRAYER REQUEST:
My Grandfather Lee, doesn’t know the Lord.
He is 96 years old and is for the first time experiencing life alone without his wife after 62 years of having her – before which he had his family.
She was the last living person in his life that knew him and his life before his two daughters and his grandchildren came along.
Even all those he grew up with have passed on.
For him there is no one left. He is alone.
His two daughters and grandchildren only know the tip of the iceberg about him – and can’t relate to him the way she could.
He is afraid.
He doesn’t know that God knows Him even more than she did!
He doesn’t know that God wants him to know Him the way Meema knew him.
It’s only day 2 since her passing and he is going to experience greater and greater loss as the days pass – and the resulting effects that tag along with loss.
He needs the Lord.
He needs the comfort and assurance that only God can give.
I am asking you to partner with me to ask the Lord to soften his heart!
I know that God is in hard pursuit of my Grandfather, and has been for years!
They say your family is the hardest to minister to! And it is true.
My Grandfather is a die hard old timer who fought in WWII and went through the depression. He always did “the right thing” and lived a good life.
He doesn’t see his need for the Lord.
Please pray that his eyes and heart would OPEN!
My Grandfathers days are also numbered and I want him to arrive to the Lord with a “well done good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25), not a “I never knew you, away from me.” (Matthew 7:21 -)
A few songs that my soul ponders as I grieve:
……
See you later Alligator –
