Developing A Heart of Gratitude

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of the first celebration between the Pilgrims and the Indians as they rejoiced over the harvest and gave thanks to God for his provision in the New World. The first settlers had suffered extreme hardship, hunger, cold, and death in their first year as colonists. But they chose to give praise to the author of creation, thanking him amidst their trials.

            Living here in Paraguay, my heart often becomes discontent as I sweep my house continuously, never getting rid of the endless bugs and dirt. With large cracks in the cement floor, leaks in the roof, and the spiders happily residing in every corner, I easily get drawn into wishing I had something better.

            As is the custom in many Paraguayan homes, I have hired a young woman to help me around the house several days a week. She is a fairly new follower of Christ, and she is  a joy to be around. She is also helping me a great deal in learning Guarani. Our conversations have taught me much about her life. When asked what she likes to do, her reply was simple: “cook, clean, wash clothes, and work in my garden.” I probed a little more to find out which was her favorite or least favorite, yet her reply was the same. “I enjoy it all.” I saw in her response an honest contentment and joy in her simple tasks of daily living.

            Having been to her house, I know that her life is not physically easy. Her home is made of wood planks with a thatch roof and dirt floor. There is one room enclosed, and a “kitchen” with walls on three sides. She cooks over a fire and gets water from a well about 300 meters from her house.  The bathroom is a roughly built outhouse with a hole in the ground. Needless to say, there is no shower or bathtub. And the majority of her food comes from either her garden or the animals they raise. Laundry is washed by hand with a bucket and a bar of soap, and then hung out to dry. (After observing her work, it seems so ridiculous to say I washed clothes today, when all I really did was throw them in a machine and turn it on.) All this and she says in response to my question, “I enjoy all my work.” I don’t see that kind of attitude in myself, and it made a deep impression on me.

            When I start thinking about my beautiful home in Minnesota and longing to live somewhere without exotic bugs and never-ending dirt, I have only to reflect on the reality of life for my sweet friend Mariza, to remind me of God's goodness in my own life.

            Thank you, Lord, for the honor it is to live and work among these people. Cultivate in me a heart of gratitude in this home or wherever you call me to live!

A Legacy to Learn From

In the past four years, I have said goodbye to all four of my grandparents as they entered into the presence of the Lord. This week my Granny passed away, and though I am not able to be with them at the memorial service today, I wanted to share about the legacy that my Granny left with us.

Most of my childhood, we lived in Minnesota, which meant not seeing Granny and Granddad very often. The distance between us made our time together precious. I remember eagerly anticipating our vacations, where after spending countless hours in the car, we finally pulled up in front of their beautiful brick house. Then there were hugs and kisses all around and excited chatter as we enjoyed our reunion.

We all knew that going to my Granny’s house meant lots of exciting surprises!  Between Granny and Great Aunt Rose Gay, they saw to it that we were completely spoiled whenever we were together. Whether it was pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese, juice boxes, candies, or a day at Bush Gardens, we loved it all.

In the days that followed, we enjoyed her delicious southern cooking, including my favorite—Granny’s ham biscuits. Her table was always a beautiful display of her talent in the kitchen. Her home itself was also a warm and welcoming place to be, everything in its place, but without a rigidness that makes little ones on edge. We played and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly both indoors and out, exploring and enjoying the company of grandparents.

One of my favorite rooms at Granny’s house was the family room, which held a wide display of photos on the wall. I loved looking at the pictures from various occasions and seeing the proud display of my grandparent’s life and family. 

Not only was Granny an excellent cook, her skill on the Scrabble board was hard to beat.  The crossword puzzles and word finds from the newspaper were also a favorite for Granny, and most evenings included Jeopardy and Wheel-of-Fortune. Even as we got older, when it came to word games, Granny was always a challenge to beat.

            Each Saturday, Granny had her hair done so she could look her best for the Sunday morning worship service. Attending the service on Sunday and being a part of the body of believers was not just done out of routine. My grandparents looked forward to their time of worshipping their Lord, fellowshipping with other believers, and serving the church body in whatever way they could.  I remember watching Granny as she carefully prepared herself for church, stressing the importance of looking your best to worship the Lord. That not only included ironed clothes but a proper attitude as well.

Walking into church, I remember Granny and Granddad proudly introducing us to all their friends. As they enjoyed conversations around the room, I felt honored and privileged to be their granddaughter. It was obvious to me that they were well respected and loved by all who knew them. Even after moving into the Chesapeake, and Granddad going to be with the Lord, Granny still made every effort to attend the services that were available to her. Just a few weeks ago, upon hearing the beginning of several Bible verses, she was able to quote the rest from memory. Her love for her Lord and Savior was completely evident in the way she and Granddad conducted themselves, not only at church but also on a day-to-day basis.

As I think about Granny’s marriage to my Granddad, I see a commitment that has not only endured through the years but also thrived in a loving and God-honoring relationship. Granny had an unmistakable love for Granddad that was displayed in their marriage. I remember clearly watching Granny as she cared for him, fixing his shirt and making sure he looked good.  They were a team, and they modeled beautifully their commitment to one another.

Even though we were far apart, Granny and Granddad always made an effort to be a part of our lives. Granny often sent packages, making sure that there was something for everyone each time. She and Granddad encouraged us in our musical studies as well as academics. And they were extremely supportive when I chose to study international missions in college. Most of all, they encouraged us in our walk with the Lord, letting us know that they prayed faithfully for us each day. I have now come to realize how rare and incredible my grandparents were!

Today though I am sad to say goodbye to my Granny, I know that she is rejoicing in heaven, standing in the presence of her savior.  We will miss her greatly, but her memory and legacy will not be forgotten! I love you, Granny!