We all need a Granny!

We all need a Granny in our life. I have had a very special Granny in my life! When I started a job at Central Baptist Church, in Decatur, AL, God gave me a wonderful older lady who loved me and loved my children. She taught me so much about being a mother. She kept Conner when he was young. She has kept both of my children when Zine and I have gone on dates or to company parties. She has been one of my biggest encouragers! She was a safe place for me! I could talk to her about anything, and she would always listen. Followed by listening was always encouragement. There was never condemnation or commands! She always cared about me! Despite the ugliness that we all have in our lives, she could always see past that to my true heart!

Granny went to be with Jesus on April 9 after a short battle with cancer. In January, Granny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The day that she received her diagnosis, with tears flowing she said to me, I'm going to fight this cancer with everything I've got. Later she communicated that she didn't fear dying but she didn't want to leave her kids. She worried about them. And there is one thing I can say...Granny kept her word...she fought to the very end of life! And she loved her children well! Just a few days before her death, I witnessed the most beautiful picture of love. Her daughter was standing by her bedside and Granny reached for her. Upon her daughter taking her outstretched hand, the daughter bent down and kissed Granny with the words "Momma, I love you" that quickly followed the kiss. Granny in all her power tried to utter the words I love you too. There is no doubt about that! She didn't get words out of her mouth but it was evident what she was trying to say. The daughter in her own way said, Mom, I know you love me. You don't even have to tell me that. I know you love me! Oh, what a precious memory I will always have of that moment and I'm sure her daughter will also have a very precious memory of that moment.

I miss Granny tremendously. The last couple of days, I have found myself missing her a whole lot! I miss her encouragement, I miss her listening ear, I miss our long conversations, I miss her loving my kids! I am so thankful that God sent a Granny into my life! We all need a Granny. I pray that God sends another Granny into my life. There won't ever be one just like Granny, but I pray there'll be another one that will encourage me and love me like Granny did!

I hope that when I'm older and my kids are grown, that I'll be a servant and I'll be able to be a Granny to some new mom! I hope that maybe even while I am still young, that God would put opportunities in my path to minister to women. Women are complex human beings! The intricate detail that God uses to create each one of us is amazing. But somehow, women have a tendency to lose their vision of that love God has for each one them. They condemn themselves like crazy. They are in constant need of reminders of God's love for them. Oh, how I want women to know that God loves them. I hope that one day I get to that point of knowing beyond a shadow of doubt, God loves me and that I need no reminders of that! I pray that I'll be more and more like Granny's daughter and say, Jesus, you don't have to tell me you love me...I know you love me!

Granny you are missed here on earth, but you have left your imprint in so many people's lives. Your handprints are everywhere I look in my life. Even in your last days, you left me moments that will continue to shape me for the rest of my life.