I’m sometimes asked about role models. For me, the first person who comes to mind is my mother’s mother, my Grandmother. She died in 1992 after many years of being very sick. In fact, I would say that her ability to really relate to anyone ceased while I was in my early twenties; however, her life still influences me to this day.

Grandmother was a good cook and kept a clean house. She didn’t drive. I don’t remember that she had any hobbies other than embroidering and crocheting. She was even-tempered, and I can remember her laughing but I don’t remember her ever raising her voice. When my grandfather became terminally ill in his 40’s, she went to work as a nurse’s aide at the old Baptist Hospital until her back gave out in her 60’s from changing too many beds and bedpans.

She was my role model because she always put her family first, and she showed her love by caring for each of us. In turn, each of her five children lived with her at some time during their married lives. My family lived with her upon our return from my Dad’s tour of duty in Alaska, until I was three years old. I have vague but good memories of that time. My youngest uncle still lived at home and it was a busy, happy, crowded place. It was tradition to have Christmas Eve at her house, and we had picnics often in her back yard. I loved sitting with her at church.

I spent many nights, weekends, and weeks at her house; in fact, she would use her vacation allowing me and my cousins to stay with her. I can remember leaving her house in a taxi with my mom as Grandmother waited for the bus to take her to work, after I had just spent a week with her. I didn’t appreciate it then, but now I can’t believe she didn’t take some time for herself. She didn’t have to keep us, but she wanted to spend time with us, and I think she probably also wanted to give her children a break by spending her well-earned vacation time on us.

I have to mention here that I was probably not always the most lovable child. My grandchildren can sometimes be a handful, somewhat selfish and sometimes wanting their way at the expense of others. As I observe them, I recall things that I used to do or say as a child and realize that they aren’t too different from me. (That hurts to admit!)

Grandmother and I had a great relationship. I was her favorite (and I’m quite sure that each of her children and grandchildren also thought that they were her favorite. That’s okay; it was (almost) never a competition. She modeled love and we learned firsthand from her what it meant to love. Hers was a godly, selfless love. I loved her so.

When asked the greatest command in the law, Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wonder if I really love God like I’m supposed to, like this passage instructs. As I ponder this, I realize that my love for Him stems most from my gratitude for what He has done for me, for how he has loved me unconditionally, even when I was unlovable, enough to sacrifice his own precious Son on the cross to pay for my sins and ensure that I would not have to spend eternity in hell but instead in Paradise with Him.

When I think of my Grandmother, her sacrificial love for me always comes to mind and I can’t help but love her for it. When I think of my LORD and his sacrificial love for me, I can’t help but love Him for it. I pray the same for you.

I also pray for you that you have someone you can pour your life into, someone for whom you can model sacrificial, unconditional love so that they can relate to the love of God themselves. I think this is what Jesus had in mind when he added the second greatest command: “The second is this:  Love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Mark 12:31)

Blessings,

Judy