A Legacy of Love

My sweet granny’s birthday was on Christmas Day. She knew she would not be here for this birthday…

She was so strong; it was clear to me that He was the source of her strength. Yet so gentle, kind, and loving like the Spirit of our Lord…

He allowed me to see Him through her. I knew that. It was so easy to love her…

We are who we are because of who she was through the grace of Christ.

I’m okay right now, however each day is different. Sometimes I’m rejoicing that she’s safe, other times I’m weeping. I loved her so much and I knew she loved me more…

I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4

God knows, He hears, and He cares.

Cling to His promises and truth…

~~~~~~~~~~

Reflections I shared at her graveside service:

A Penny for your thoughts.

How could I begin to place a value on how much it meant to hear her stories, her deepest thoughts…

It took a village to raise us. There is not one day that I went to my granny’s house that she was not there for me, no matter what the occasion or need, not one. How could I dare not be there for her…

She had meager belongings, but she made the best out of what she had.

She made a meal out of minimal rations.

She made a home out of a shack.

She adorned herself fashionably, with hand me downs and costume jewelry.

She saw the world through her seed.

Her home was meticulously cared for.

She held her head high and walked with dignity.

Her strength was unwavering.

Her prayers were fervent on behalf of all of us.

To sit at her feet, was an honor, her wisdom and yes humor were abundant.

God’s Love and Ours

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:7-21 (NIV)

Granny loved deeply from what she had to give, the gift she so freely gave, was that of herself…

She did so unconditionally, without waiver.

The recipients of her love (Fred, Helen, Rita, Sid, Laura, Pam, Ellyse, Lauren, Sid jr, and Anthony, along with her endearing nieces and nephews ) are blessed as we have truly experienced the love of God that is made complete in us because of her love for us.

The pages of granny’s life have turned, her book has ended.

Now what? How will you respond based on what you have read and witnessed of her life and legacy of love?

I wonder…

I’m going to miss my granny…

A lot, more than one can imagine…

Thank you, Lord God, for my precious, precious granny, I love you granny.

Precious Lord

A Legacy of Love

Laura Ann Taylor ~ 12/25/21 – 10/22/19