The Legacy of Praying Grandparents

Day 159 of Photo Inspirations — The Legacy of Praying Grandparents
#TBT  This is my Grandma and Grandpa, John & Mary Halbert.  They’ve long been in heaven, but yesterday, I had sweet memories of them and knew this would be my #TBT photo inspiration today.

Back in the day…..50+ years ago, I well remember “Testimony” Services at church.  That’s when the pastor would invite people in the congregation to stand and give a praise report about God’s goodness.  I remember my grandpa, with a beautiful baritone voice, standing up to sing one song each time “Hold to God’s unchanging hand.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”  And from there he’d give witness to how the struggles in this life can be overcome if we hold God’s unchanging hand.

Then my sweet grandma would stand and give her short, yet consistent “word” exhortation:  “You’ve just got to love.”  Then she’d sit down.  Her mission was accomplished, because everyone that knew her, felt her love, and in turn, desired to immulate that love.

They lived in such a modest little home in midtown Dallas, and I remember, more times than not, finding them in their rocking chairs, listening to religious broadcasting on their radio.  Good old Southern preaching and singing..  They wore their faith and love for God on the inside and outside.  And, that’s my legacy.

This sweet little grandmother was also the matchmaker that brought my sweetheart and me together — myself at age 12 and “Ronnie” aka Ron at age 13.  She called to say, “Ronnie Wuerch likes you.”  I replied, “Tell him I like him, too!”  The rest is history….but needless to say, the most precious gift she ever gave me.

Today I’m embracing and cherishing those memories because I know that their prayers for me, waaay back then, are still being answered today.  Their prayers, like our prayers, are “perennials” (you know, the flowers/plants that come back up year after year).  Each prayer they prayed were like seeds that eventually bore fruit that has blessed not just me, but my children and their children.  Just because they died, their prayers didn’t.  I am still reminded that the prayers of my grandparents are being answered in my life right now.  Their prayers outlived them.

Their example is inbred in me now, because today, I carry on their legacy as I pray for my kids and grandkids.  God hears every prayer and every prayer is ALWAYS answered…eventually.  I hope that one day, those are the memories my kids and grandkids will have about me.
#PreciousMemories