Fondest childhood memories for me include those wonderful visits to my paternal grandparents' house. They were both strong Christians who served God faithfully and loved their family intensely. A most musical family, it was inevitable that our family gatherings always ended up around the piano, with my grandmother playing and all of us singing heartily, from the youngest to the oldest. My grandparents' lives and example strongly influenced the person I would eventually become. My grandmother died in 1971 and my grandfather in 1973. It was not until I lost my own mother in 2001 that I found a precious message from my grandmother. In the very difficult task of going through the many things my mother left behind, I found a worn envelope. Written haltingly on the outside were these words: "To my children and grandchildren after I'm gone." Inside were 5 pages of wisdom and encouragement, written in pencil, that brought me to tears as I remembered this Godly woman. Here are some excerpts from that letter:

"I have much I would love to say to you but can't write too much now so will say the most important things. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life for which I am sorry, but always the one thing uppermost in my thoughts was the desire to raise my boys to be honest, upright, God-fearing men. That is the only thing that really counts in this life......This one thing I want to leave with you now is to trust and serve God to the best of your ability and not compromising with sin in any form but always standing firm for the right. The Christian life is the only satisfying life. All those others things only satisfy for the moment, but when you have done the best you can and lie down at night, there is a peace of mind and heart that the things of this world can't give. And when the end comes you will not be afraid to face the Master. Take your children to church, for there they will come under the influence of the best people and will learn things that will help them to live the good life. Don't ever let anyone shake your faith in the Christian way of life, for I know from experience that there is reality in the religion of Jesus Christ.....Whatever talents the Lord has given you, won't you use them for His honor and glory and the uplifting of your fellow man and not for worldly pleasures and sin. Remember it was the Lord who gave you your talents, and you owe it to Him to use them in His service. Now this last word. You know how we have always enjoyed our little family get-togethers here, but it will be perfect happiness when we all get together in that heavenly home. So won't you see that the family circle is complete up there. I'll be waiting for you. I love you all very much."

From heaven, 30 years after her departure from us, my grandmother spoke words of encouragement and wisdom. I am in awe of the goodness of God in allowing me to find this treasure. Why I had never seen the letter before, and why my mother ended up with it, I don't know. I only know that it is a blessing that I cherish. May the words of this precious saint of God be an inspiration to others as well.