I Love Grandma (and I like her stuff)

This weekend we headed to my hometown (or "homestead", a word that Avery learned in school just this week!). We spent two nights with Mom & Dad Tillis and got to visit with my sister, Coleen, and her family, as well as my cousin, Mary, and her baby. One of the purposes of our trip was to spend some time with my Grandma. Grandma has been in assisted living for two years now, and, in spite of some major health concerns, she continues to enjoy life (or complain, depending on the day!). I told her that God must have some purposes for her life that haven't yet been carried out. Not sure if she believes that, but I'm certain it's the truth.

Mom and Dad have been really busy, cleaning out Grandma's house -- clothes, dishes, jewelry, valuables and keepsakes. I spent some time with Mom, looking through boxes and choosing some items that I can use, as well as things that bring back memories. One of the favorite things that I brought home is Grandma's recipe box. I can't wait to go through it! I love to experiment with new recipes, and I'm sure that many of the cards in this box will be familiar dishes that I've enjoyed since childhood.

I also got to keep several shawls and knitted/crocheted items that Grandma made. It will be fun to wear them and remember where they came from.

I love Grandma and pray that she will know the true, everlasting love of Jesus. Psalm 139 says that God "created her inmost being" and "knit her together in her mother's womb", 97 years ago. He knows the number of hairs on her head (Matthew 10:30) -- a number that is decreasing daily :) Grandma is "fearfully and wonderfully made" and all of her days have been ordained by God -- "they were written in His book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:14, 16). Thoughts about Grandma are precious to God -- He thinks about her all the time! (Ps. 139:16)

Thank You, O LORD, that even in the final years of her life, You continue to search Grandma's heart and You know her. You know when she sits and when she rises; you perceive her thoughts from afar. You discern her going out and her lying down; you are familiar with all her ways. Thank you, Jesus that she can't hide from your Spirit, and she can't flee from your presence. I pray today, that she would know you personally, and that You would lead her in the way everlasting. Amen