The Way to Spend a Life

My grandpa is an amazing man.

God has used my grandpa to share about Jesus and teach the Bible to people across the globe. Speaking, teaching, writing, and leading, his influence for the Kingdom has been far-reaching, around the world and here in the States. Many of today’s Christian leaders regard Grandpa as mentor and friend.

It seems contrary, though, to list accolades here, because if any words describe Grandpa, they would include humble, honest, genuine, and kind.

Many know his voice from a simple greeting, “Hello, my friend,” not only from his radio broadcasts, but because everyone he meets, he considers a friend. Grandpa is fun and funny, with a smile that lights a room and a matching sparkle in his eye. Family means the world to him, and he loves us so. very. well.

My grandpa’s legacy runs deep and it runs long, and to say that I am proud of my grandpa would be the understatement of the year. He’s one of my very closest friends, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

My grandpa is truly an amazing man.

 

But like they say: Behind every great man is a great woman.

No one would admit faster than Grandpa: Though he has received most of the public credit, we all know that his has been a ministry partnership all throughout the years, and Grandma has been the secret strength.

Even to this day, she stands beside him, supports him, and serves alongside of him. She prays with him and for him. They laugh together and talk together and sit long every. single. day.

They honor one another and sacrifice for each other. Grandma is the love of his life and together they have loved and served and sacrificed for Christ.

Here’s the thing: many people in this world might think that my grandma didn’t accomplish much in her life. After all, she hasn’t worked, at least not in the “getting a paycheck for all I do” type of way.

She didn’t climb the corporate ladder or earn many awards. Her name wasn’t etched on the front of a book. She hasn’t built a platform or become famous.

Grandma might not be well-known, but to everyone who has known her? She has made a difference for eternity. She has cried with, prayed for, sat long, held close, and given away pieces of herself and glimpses of Jesus.

Stay-at-home-Mom, do you ever wonder if what you are doing matters?
It matters.

Each dish you wash. and dry. and put away. over and over and over. Each pile of clothes, every bathroom sink and toilet and floor. Every meal and conversation and bedtime snuggle. Each interaction you have, each look you give. Everything you do, even when no one else sees? It matters.

Like my grandma, you are serving well and loving long. You are setting an example of what it means to
love patiently,
love kindly,
love humbly,
love generously,
love forgivingly,
love joyfully,
love honestly.

You are living what it means to support and believe and hope and endure.
You are loving like Jesus.

What you do matters.

Is being a mom hard? You bet.

We are called to die to ourselves every day. Like hot wax on our sensitive, stubborn brows, selfishness is stripped away, little by little, each and every day. Our patience is stretched, our resolve tested. Our souls tired.

I know what it’s like to feel like no one sees you. But O sweet One, God does! We serve El Roi — the God who sees! And we follow Emmanuel — God who is with us.

I know you have needs today. Your heart is heavy, and you’re battling concerns and worries and irritations.
I am, too. I have been struggling with discouragement and depression and great spiritual attack.

But we can run to God together.

Let’s press in harder, hold on tighter, and believe Him for all that He has promised.

Lift up your head, dear friend. Let’s walk with power and purpose and passion and praise. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)

Some might look at my grandma’s life and wonder if it was worth it.

My grandma may not have worked, but she works! She pours herself into our family, into each one of us, and we are better because of her.

Because of the influence of my grandma – on her husband, on her kids, on her grand and great-grandkids, on friends and family and the people she meets — millions will be introduced to Jesus. My grandma leaves a legacy of faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these has been love.

Worth it?
There is no other way to spend a life.

Therefore, my dear sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)