Nuggets 50: An Intentional Grandma

  • B. Shelburne
  • Dec 30, 2006
  • Series: Nuggets

When we buried my mother-in-law, Odilla Hayes, 250 of her descendants attended the funeral, most of them active servants of Christ. A lot of this goes back to Odilla’s parents, Grandpa and Grandmother Mullins. They were very intentional about the things that matter most. Knowing that spiritual growth doesn’t just happen, at the beginning of 1947 this couple wrote to their children and grandchildren:

“We have thought of a few things we would like very much for our whole family to do in the year 1947. We intend to do our very best to attain this goal and are asking each of you our beloved ones to cooperate with us 100 percent.

“First, fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man - Ecclesiastes 12:13. Second, try each day to help someone in some way with a smile, a kind word or help someone to bear their burden. A drink of cold water given in the name of the Lord will be rewarded - Matthew 10:42…

“And…let's add to our faith knowledge of God's word. We suggest the following: Each of us from Grandpa to Weyland be sure that we read 7 chapters a week (better read one each day but if you miss one day read two the next day) and memorize a verse each week. 52 verses in our minds in 1947. Each one from Peggy to Travis memorize one verse each week and read one chapter a month. I suggest when you learn a verse write it down in a notebook. And from June to Borden Wirt have your mothers tell you Bible stories until you know who was the first man and woman, who built the ark, who was thrown into the lions' den, who was the strongest man, who was swallowed by a large fish, who walked on the waves, who can make the wind quit blowing in a storm, who died for us. Love, Papa and Mother”

Our children will be no more serious about spiritual things than we are.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 71:18; 78:4-7; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; 1:8,9

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Copyright 2006 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons. 

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