Dear 80 year old follower of Christ

Last weekend we went to see my Grandma. She has been in the hospital for pretty much 2 and a half months. She finally went home a week and a half ago and I was so excited because we were going to be able to see her at home instead of in a hospital. I didn't let her know we were coming, although I did try to call but I guess she was too busy having movie time in the theater with her friends. They were watching Titanic, very intense, no phone calls allowed. :-) When we got there we went to her room first, no Grandma. Back to the theater room, there was Grandma. Still watching Titanic and not even noticing the 2 year old running around. Finally she realizes that it's her great-grand-daughter and is shocked. Oh what a feeling to see her (Grandma's) eye light up with joy when she realized we were there. She looked towards the door and saw myself and Paul and smiled again. It was awesome! I had called ahead and let the girls know we would be there for dinner. Usually they set me up at the table with her and whoever she is sitting with that month but this time was special. They put the 4 of us in the 'conference' room with just us. Now, don't think conference room like metal table and yucky chairs. This is not the type they have. It was more of a 'meal at home' feel. (other than the food :-)) We sat and visited and got the scoop on how Grandma is feeling. Oh, she cracks me up! She says (with a small voice) "these girls are so much nicer here". After we ate, we went back up to her room to visit before we made our 4 hour drive home. I had read something on a friends blog that I just had to write to my own Grandma so I got a card and wrote this:

Dear 80 year old follower of Christ:

So, how have you done it?
How have you managed to maintain your faith in Christ all these years?
How have you handled the changes that you have certainly seen in your 80 years on this earth?
How have you dealt with the heartaches that you’ve most assuredly endured?
How have you chosen to trust God when everything around you seemed to be in shambles?
How have you done it?
Because, quite frankly, I want someone to ask me this when I’m 80 and I’ll need to know what to say.
You inspire me

And I meant every word of it. Even if I didn't come up with the words myself. As we sat with Grandma at dinner we talked about her following of Christ all these years. Which, still baffles me. Not that one would follow Christ (because I couldn't live any other way) but the faith of an 80 year old. Makes me want to be 80 to know what it's like! As we talked though, she told me that this last stay in the hospital she had an argument with God. At one point she was in so much pain she asked God, "Why, what have I done to feel this way?". At another point she asked God "Why? Why won't you take me home?". She continued to talk to us and she knows that He is not ready for her. She may not understand why not, but she knows in her heart that she is still here on earth for a purpose, HIS purpose.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot" Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Grandma's time is still here "under heaven". I know the Lord is using her for His good every day and I am so thankful that He has used her in my life. I love you, Grandma and Courtney and I pray for you every night.

Courtney showing her Great-Grandma the animal magnets off her refrigerator and telling her what they say. I just love Grandma's reaction.

The next two are some of my favorites. Look at the way Grandma looks at my sweet baby girl. Such interest, such joy, pure love in her heart shining through. I have pictures from when I was a child and Grandma and Grandpa both were always looking at me that way. Something you simply can not fake.

Courtney so excited and loving the moments with her Great-Grandma.

A picture truly is worth 1,000 words.