It all started with them—my maternal great-grandparents, Grandpa Percy and Grandma Hazel, who we affectionately called “Great Granny.”
From my recollection, this is where the story of my faith begins. With them. Their prayers. Their faith, and by watching how they lived their adult lives for the glory of God because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
Their lives exuded the wisdom of God and the ways of Christ. They were truly in tune with the Holy Spirit, and their steps were ordered by the Lord. They planted numerous spiritual seeds in my life (as well as the rest of my family and countless others).
As a child, I watched them dedicate and pour out their lives for Christ, not only through ministry in the church house but, most importantly, in their day-to-day lives.
I can specifically recall the last years of my great-grandfather’s life; he spent them ministering to patrons at a local Hardee’s. Yes! A Hardee’s. The establishment owner even set aside a booth in the dining area in his honor and as a designated space for him to do ministry and to engage in the lives of others.
They passed such a great spiritual legacy along to their children. One of whom is my grandma Grace, who in turn passed it along to her daughters and then passed it along to me.
“Grace” Saved My Life
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to share about the impact my Grandma Grace has had on my life. She’ll likely get me for this because she’s not one for public recognition, but it’s worth taking my chances.
I wouldn’t be half the woman I am today without her. Since day one, she has been the tangible representation of God’s grace in my life (hence her name, Grace).
I have gained priceless wisdom just by listening to her and learning from her. My grandma lives out her faith daily by loving her family and friends and serving her local community through the field of education and various ministry outlets. Most importantly, she is a praying woman!
She always pushed me, even when I felt like giving up. She corrected me when I was wrong. But above all, she pointed me to Jesus.
She loved me, nurtured me, took me in, and was a willing vessel to fill the physical voids that were in my life. She has always been there, and I have nothing but thanks and a grateful heart for that. I also can’t neglect mentioning my grandpa George, who has been a faithful father figure and grandfather to me.
I am grateful for my grandparents taking me in during a major crossroads in my life and caring for me in a transitional season.I left a household where I experienced some very difficult times and types of abuse that caused trauma to my well-being.
I’m not ashamed of what I’ve been through; it’s a part of my story and testimony.
However, I know I would not be where I am today without God working through the specific care of my grandparents.
They gave me a home and opened a new world for me. It was their advocacy that changed the trajectory of my life.
A Spiritual Legacy
Going back to my maternal great-grandparents, it’s been a blessing for me to have witnessed 4, going on 5 generations of my family proclaiming the spirit of the true and living God.
And I pray for this to continue with my children, and their children, and their children, and on and on.
Why?
Because it’s a generational thing, and we serve a generational God. It’s not just about us presently; it’s about the generations to come and the eternal life impact we have.
I am thankful for my great-grandparents. They left a true, spiritual, and eternal legacy. That is the life goal that we, as believers, should all be striving for.
Sure, there are a lot of other great things we can leave our children, but only what’s eternal is what truly matters and what will last.
So I ask, what spiritual legacy are you leaving for your family?
Prayerfully, one day our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren can look back and say…
“It started with them.”
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share that faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)
And if you’re reading this and you don’t have [biological] children yet, you are still connected to a family of believers with a generation you can pour into. Your spiritual seeds matter too!
