One Saturday morning, I headed to my hometown of Spartanburg to visit family. While in town, I also met Jayne, a woman who had advertised free liriope in Craig’s List. (I love me some free clumps of grass!)
As we put shovel to dirt, I learned that Jayne once attended the same church as my paternal grandparents. She was also the church secretary at the time. When I mentioned that my grandmother’s name was Alberta Scott, her face lit up.
While taking a break on her front porch she excused herself and then returned a few minutes later with a wide grin. In her hands were some things kept from her time at Fairforest Baptist Church. She carefully pulled out a particular manila folder tucked in the stack. She told me the folder held one of her greatest treasures. As she opened it, I immediately recognized the handwriting on the paper inside. It was my grandmother’s, lovingly known as Ma-Ma.
Ma-Ma had written Jayne a note, encouraging her teaching efforts when Jayne taught her women’s seniors class. Attached to Ma-Ma’s note was a piece of notebook paper filled with handwritten names and phone numbers.
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| Shuping and Alberta Scott |
With tears welling up in her eyes, Jayne shared that she had mentioned in class one Sunday how the ladies needed to regularly pray for one another. On the following Sunday, Ma-Ma handed her what was now tucked away in Jayne’s treasured file.
Ma-Ma was a prayer warrior up until the morning she drew her last breath.
Jayne also shared how my grandfather, Pa-Pa, would come to the church office and give anonymously to different missions and needs. He never wanted to be recognized or applauded for his giving.
It is a priceless gift to inherit such a spiritual heritage.
I was blessed to have two sets of grandparents who loved the Lord, not only with their lips but also with their lives. None were perfect but all left a lasting legacy in my life. Their imperfect but godly lives gives me hope that maybe I can do the same despite my own failings.
When our lives stem from the heritage built in Christ, His story becomes ours and life is forever changed, and as a result, so are future generations.
[bctt tweet=”The decisions we make today will either build or break the legacy we leave behind.” username=”inspireafire”]
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.” – Steve Saint
Love this story!!! And you thought you were just going for liropie! God had a special blessing waiting for you!
Thank you, Beth! You can appreciate my desire for free liriope. 🙂 God always seems to have bigger plans than the obvious ones. Blessings…
Love hearing stories about your grandparents. I know what Godly people they were.
Thank you, Louise. Yes they were — both sets. What a tremendous blessing. Your family can say the same. 🙂 Blessings!
Loved reading this! I never knew any of my grandparents because they died before I was born. I recently pulled out my genealogy papers I haven’t touched in a while. My fraternal grandfather William Henry Cartledge was a twin and buried at St Paul’s Methodist Church cemetery in Lincoln Co. Ga. along with my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather William Henry Cartledge born in 1825 (died 1869-enlisted Confederate in 1861) and great-great-grandmother Nancy Wood Cartledge. One day I hope to visit this part of Ga. and my ancestors.
How interesting, Daphne! I’m sorry you didn’t have the opportunity to meet either set of your grandparents. You’re making up for it by being such an amazing grandmother to your own grandchild. 🙂 And yes, it would be quite the adventure to head to GA for a genealogical trip. Thanks for sharing!