Just before finding out I was pregnant I started to read my Grandfather’s Memoir. I love learning more about that man, he is so precious and inspiring, loving and faithful, encouraging and insightful.
Grandpa tells a story of his mother Maude. In the critical moment, she vowed to the Lord that if He would spare her daughter Virginia’s life from the spinal meningitis that was about to take it, then she would fully dedicate her life to Him, no matter what else she did in her life. God healed Virginia and Grandpa was born two months later. At his birth, Great-Grandma Maude prayed, “Lord, I am going to fulfill my promise to You through my son.” Isn’t that beautiful!?!
She made scripture memorization part of Grandpa’s daily rhythm when he was little. As she went about her domestic duties, she taught him. She taught him to read when he was four and had him read the Bible to her as she worked. It is life-giving to me to know this about my Great-Grandmother, that she made a vow to God, extended it to her son and then facilitated its fulfillment in Grandpa by teaching him, simultaneously fulfilling it in her own life, within her responsibilities as a hardworking mother and in her spare time, serving the church. Awesome!
I recommend my Grandfather’s Memoir highly! Even if you don’t know who he is. It was edited by my brilliant and gifted father and it is bursting at the binding with insight and an inspiring joy to read. Order it here. If that link expires, find the book at www.express-image.com in the “store.”
This is my heritage and as I read about Maude, suspecting that I was expecting a baby, the story was illuminated. I felt like it was both calling me home and pointing a new way for me to go. When I found out that I am pregnant, I decided, without vowing it to God for fear of failing Him, that I will read my Bible every day of this pregnancy, as well as pray the prayer I shared in my last post. Though that prayer is morphing a little day by day into my own expression (including an “And bless my birth, Lord” at the end :) ).
In my Grandfather’s life – how the Lord steered him from his own plans to become a surgeon, to where he is today and all the lives that have been made whole in between through his ministry – all the glory belongs to God, and yet the power of my Great-Grandmother’s devotion is evidenced. The power of a praying pregnant woman! The dedication of a young mother of small children teaching them the Word of God! This is my heritage. As Jonathan Safran Foer said (in one of the best movies ever, I have yet to read the book), “… everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is always along the side of us… on the inside looking out.” Maybe it is time for my past to regain significance in my life? It feels like it’s happening aside from anything I’m doing, I’m along for the ride and very hopeful about what lies ahead.
Here’s a photo of Maude.
