We lost one of our precious gogos (grandmother) yesterday. As our community prepares for her funeral vigil; an all night service of prayers and songs to celebrate her life ending in the burial at sunrise; I can’t help but reflect on the legacy Lily leaves behind. Hers could easily have been a legacy of bitterness, loss, anger and resentment. Her life has been a difficult journey. She and her children were pushed aside when her husband took a new wife (sadly not an uncommon story here). She has buried a son, killed tragically in an automobile accident. She has watched several family members spiral downward in a cycle of addiction. In her golden years she took on the task of raising her young grandchildren. Even when Lily could hardly sit up in her bed due to her failing health, she would somehow manage to care for those kids. Rather than pass along to them a legacy of hardship, she made certain that her grandchildren were given a legacy of love. Her eyes would light up and her smile fill her entire face as she shared with them the truth of Jesus Christ. She made sure they attended church each Sunday, whether she had the strength to get there or not. In the midst of often not having enough to eat, those kids always had the opportunity to feast on the Bread of Life! That is Lily’s legacy. A legacy of love. A lifetime drenched in the promise of hope even though the red dirt around her simple, one-room home was usually parched and cracked. Lily was offered Living Water at some point in her life and she never missed the opportunity to pour it out to those around her. We would go to sit and visit with her, hoping to minister to her in some significant way and we always would leave her presence having been ministered to. Why? I believe it is because her countenace reflected the very glory of God. Now she sees her Savior face to face. I can’t even imagine how much her face lights up now! Her pain and suffering are gone. She has received her crown. Heaven rejoices in the arrival of this saint. Thank you for all you have taught us,Gogo, you will be missed…until we get to see you again…we will do our very best to carry on your legacy.
August, 2011 Lily with her grandchildren…carriers of her legacy…
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Amen – love and miss you gogo. We know you are happy and blessed in Jesus’ presence tonight.
Beautiful. Praying for those who love her as they deal with her loss. And praying for the kids she’s leaving behind.
Makes me want to be a better mother and wife myself! Thank you for sharing with us, again, Jen! Praying for this time of celebration and yet mourning. May the Lord receive the glory due His Name!!
I love you all!
I echo all these sentiments! Lifting all of you up in prayer. May God surround you with his healing, love and encouragement and care for every need. Bless you all.
Sad for us but so Happy for her. Also, sad for the youngsters that depended on her.She will be missed!!
I’m sorry for your loss….sounds like she was a incredible woman of God! What a beautiful testimony that you wrote about her…may we all have something so beautiful written about us someday….
I love you guys!
Karla
What a beautiful story of a woman larger than life! I echo all the sentiments written above and thank you for writing this! Prayers especially for her grandchildren…who will care for them now? Barb
I’m so very happy for GoGo Lilly….no more pain, hunger or worry. I too wonder who will care for the little ones, but also know God has been caring for them all along. YOur lives are richer for having known her, and I believe hers was richer for knowing you.
Lily truly reflects a ‘servant heart’ May she rejoice in the presence of the ultimate servant, Jesus Christ!