Throughout our lives there are points in time that will mark the end of something special. With my grandmother's promotion to Glory in the month of June, these past few months hold the last of some precious memories for me. She was so dear to me, one of my most favorite people in the world, and when I recall our special moments from years past, I also see just how blessed I am to have her for a grandmother.
There is much I could tell you about her, about all the times we shared together, and the close relationship we shared. I could tell you about how sweet and caring she was, the hand she had in training up this child in the way I should go, and all she meant to me. Or I could tell you what made her to be everything she was, which is the greatest impact she had on my life. I could list the many titles that describe the special bond we had, just a few of which are my confidante, prayer warrior, encourager, & beloved grandmother whom I called "Grandy". Then I could work my way down the list one by one, recalling memory after memory, and ending with the most important. Or I could offer a glimpse solely at what defined her most, and this is what I shall do.
The thread that binds the tapestry of memories of my Grandy together, whether picking berries from her berry patches, shopping in the grocery store, or going to monthly checkups at the clinic, is the love for her Lord and mine, Jesus Christ our Saviour. No matter where she was, who she was with, or what she was doing... Oh, how much she loved Jesus! She placed her trust exclusively in Him when she was a teen, and it was her deepest desire to live her life fully dedicated to Him. Even to a child, her devotion to Him was evident, for her life was indeed a living testimony of His love. She truly wanted everyone she met to come to know Jesus as their Saviour, too, and indeed a shining light for Him she has been.
As for me, she helped nurture my love for Him, first by telling me of His love and His sacrifice on my behalf, then after I came to know His saving grace by placing my own trust in Him, she encouraged my walk with Him. There was always a verse or passage in the Bible that we could share in as we enjoyed the moments we had together. She was always directing me to the promises and truths He gave to us through His Word, and I often looked to her as an example of a lady striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman because her life was a wonderful example.
In light of her love for Him, I should like to take a look at a poem that was special to her, a copy of which she gave to my mom some 30 years ago.
What God Hath Promised
Annie Johnson Flint
God hath not promised skies always blue
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptations, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
I love how the poem ends with the things that God has promised! The promises we have in God's Word are so special. Sometimes it takes the hard times to realize just how special. Let's look at the poem again. However, this time let's not focus on just what He has not promised for the first three stanzas, but rather on the promises He has given for all the stanzas with some of the corresponding Scripture verses it brings to my mind. There are some, such as II Corinthians 12:9, that I have looked to time and again over the years, and have shown themselves true once again. Then there are some, such as Philippians 4:7, I am coming to see that their depths are incomprehensible, that I have just scratched their surfaces even now as I am experiencing the promise and feel it in the very depths of my soul.
God Hath Not Promised & What He Hath Said:
Skies always blue: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Luke 12:27-31
Sun without rain: For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
Joy without sorrow: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:3-4
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4
Peace without pain: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Toil and temptations: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12
Trouble and woe: Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Many a burden: Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Many a care: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7
Smooth roads and wide: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide: Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 37:23-24
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Never a mountain, rocky and steep: He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. Psalm 18:33
Never a river turbid and deep: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
Strength for the day: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:4
Rest for the labour: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Light for the way: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12
Grace for the trials: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Help from above: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6
Unfailing sympathy: Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful [extremely compassionate, sympathetic], and of tender mercy. James 5:11
Undying love: The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
Speaking of promises, this wouldn't be complete without a closer look at greatest promise of all, the one that all the others hinge upon: the promise of salvation. God, in His great love for us, gave us the greatest gift ever when His Son Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins. This gift is ours for the asking, and all we have to do is ask. He knows our hearts, so He knows if we truly trust Him. And when we come to Him with a repentant heart, He saves us for all eternity, once for all - past, present, and future - never to be lost.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Titus 3:5-6
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10, 13
We love him, because he first loved us. I John 4:19
