Mama Jo

Today I came home from a trip east where I attended my dear grandmother's funeral. She went to be with the Lord last Sunday evening. It has been a very emotional week as so many things are converging in my life - with her death and our imminent move to the Northwest. I am still processing everything and wanted to share some memories I have of her. If I had had the opportunity to share at her memorial service, perhaps this is what I would have said:

I've always known my grandmother as "Mama Jo." Not sure where that name came from but it sure did fit her! She was my second mama!

She and my grand-dad, "Pop" lived in the same house for the 72 years that they were married, in a small southern town in North Carolina. I have such fond memories of our trips to see her. Mama Jo took me shopping every time I came to visit. And how I loved that! I remember as a child anxiously waiting to go shopping while she got ready. . . it seemed to take forever!! I could always count on her to buy me a darling outfit at Christmas. In fact, I've acquired a number of hand-me-down clothes that she wore! What 36 year old woman can proudly wear her 94 year old grandmother's clothes? They are all so stylish and I love telling people they were hers.

Mama Jo loved to read. I remember coming to see her for vacation in high school, pulling books off her shelf that she recommended, and reading them while I was there. I loved sharing good books with her! This past week while I was in her home, I did just that. . . pulled books off her shelf to see which ones she had written in and recommended. You see, if a book meant something to her, or encouraged her in her walk with the Lord, she would record it in the front or back cover. Today, I came home with quite a treasure and am loving to read something that was so meaningful to her.

As a child I loved Mama Jo's hands, and I loved trying on her rings. Her fingers were so small, that the rings often fit me! I remember she would always paint my nails for me. What a treat! This past March for my birthday she and my mother decided to give me her engagement ring. O how I treasure that and love wearing it! It is such a wonderful reminder of my godly heritage. Both my mother and my grandmother have been such wonderful examples to me of women who love the Lord, are busy at home, faithfully loving their husband, their children, and those around them. How Mama Jo loved to cook! I like to think that any signs I have of being a gracious host have been passed from Mama Jo to my mother and then to me.

Mama Jo asked that Psalms 103 be used at her memorial service. I love verse 17 of that Psalm:

"But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children-

with those who keep his covenant and 

remember to obey his precepts."

That is a covenantal promise! My children and my grandchildren are going to benefit from Mama Jo and Pop's faithfulness to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. O how thankful I am!!

I love the fact that Mama Jo is joining in the chorus with all the saints from eternity past-praising our Savior and worshiping in His very presence. I am so thankful I will join her one day. This world is but a shadow of eternity! Praise the Lord.