Grandma and My Favorite Book

In 1909, Leonora Whitaker left her home to teach at a mission school near Del Rio, TN. She is the mother of Catherine Marshall, and Christy [the novel] is inspired by Leonora’s experiences teaching in rural Appalachia.

Titus 2:7-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

“A Christian has no business being satisfied with mediocrity. He's supposed to reach for the stars. Why not? He's not on his own anymore. He has God's help now.” 

― Catherine Marshall, Christy
“I still don't understand anything- exept that somehow I know that You are love. And that in my heart has been so great a love for Christy as I did not know could exist on this earth. You, God, must be responsible. You must have put it there. So what do I do with it now? ” 

― Catherine Marshall, Christy

My grandmother kept a copy of Catherine Marshall's book, "Christy," in her bookcase.  When I asked her about it I learned that the Christy character left her family to be a one room school teacher at the same age and the same year that my grandmother did; and even though they taught in different parts of the country, the rough and rowdy ways of the school children were much the same.  It quickly became my favorite book, and I've enjoyed rereading it over the years; each time appreciating my grandmother even more.  "Christy" did become a TV series, but the book still draws me back.  I did, however, enjoy this Christy video I found on YouTube.

Down in the Valley - Christy and Neil

Glory Crowns

Proverbs 20:29

English Standard Version (ESV)

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

    but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

English Standard Version (ESV)

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;

    it is gained in a righteous life.

Psalm 71:9

English Standard Version (ESV)

9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;

    forsake me not when my strength is spent.

Leviticus 19:32

English Standard Version (ESV)

32 “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Psalm 71:18

English Standard Version (ESV)

18 So even to old age and gray hairs,

    O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

    your power to all those to come.

My sister tells me that you know you're growing old when people start using the word "cute" to describe you again.  I don't know if it's happened to me yet, but it will, I'm sure should I gain more years.  As a teenager, when I considered my grandmother old, I thought it was cute that she held a Bible study at a local nursing home for people she thought old.  She had drafted her granddaughters to help by first driving her there and then by assisting the residents out of their rooms into a common room where she waited ready to teach.  She was a gifted teacher.  I now know how blessed I was for the privilege of helping Grandma to continue using her gift, even if I didn't realize it at the time.  She poured herself out into the lives of others until she had only herself to offer back to God.  I was never one of my grandmother's students; but, then again, maybe I was.

This is a song for anyone who might fear growing old.  God will never, never forget you.  

Don't Let Me Come Home a Stranger - Fernando Ortega