A Living History Lesson

Since we are in Black History month recognizing influential African Americans, I thought that I would introduce you to my Granny Ruth. She is probably the strongest Christian that I've ever met.

Granny raised 5 children by herself after Grandaddy Wakefield was killed in a train accident when he was 39. She worked as a house-keeper and with the help of her generous employer was able to put all her children through graduate school. Then, at age 65, she returned to school for her GED!

She helped raise me until my Mom finished school and prayed for me daily until I became a believer at age 19. Her favorite saying when you ask her a tough question is "baby the Scripture says..."

Most amazing, growing up in the Deep South during segregation, you would expect that she would have legitmate reasons for racial hatred. She was not like that. My Granny spoke about stories of giving up her seat on the bus when she was 9 months pregnant due to the law at that time. She also explained how she was expected to enter through the back door of some establishments and drink from different water fountains. Her peace came from knowing that God gave her an identity in Christ that superceeded the world's injustice.

Today, we can't even imagine that type of country. I can't... She says that we have made progress but we have such a "long ways to go". Her example is very simple: she trust God completely and asks him for even the mundane things in life. Her intimacy with Him is frankly beyond my ability to comprehend.

Unfortunately, in the last couple of years she has fallen prey to Alzheimers and at age 86 has become a different person that requires nursing home and now hospice care. She probably won't be here much longer, but she has made an incredible difference in my life. Her favorite Bible verse - what else: Psalm 23.

You may not see her before she leaves this Earth, but I'll introduce you to her in heaven!


Granny Ruth
Posted by Hello