Thursday, January 31, 2008

I CALL HER BLESSED

The writer of Proverbs 31 describing a virtuous woman says that her children rise up and call her blessed. My Mom was used greatly in my life. I see her life as used to encourage godly character in her children. My parents were 37 years old when I was born in 1942 and displayed maturity as parents. Mom displayed a great deal of gentleness. She never scolded for mishaps that were accidental. She spent a lot of time with me through childhood sickness. I missed first grade because of illness. She had the ability to keep an open door to speak to her about any matter in my life. Sometimes I'm sure I shocked her, but she didn't let on. She prayed with me every night as a child. I know she prayed for her children as I saw her often on her knees beside her bed. She was very concerned for the spiritual welfare of her family and was responsible to get us to special meetings where we heard the gospel. Mom set a wonderful example of faith, integrity, and righteous living. When I left home and attended Wheaton College, it took weeks to get over homesickness for my Mom. I am glad to call her "Blessed"!

Monday, January 28, 2008

A Close Family

My dad's parents, Mary Alice and Harry, raised their family on a farm near Marcus, Iowa. They came from German and Pennsylvania Dutch background. The Neir family was a very close family with six of the seven children settling close to Marcus. Most of the families were at their folks for Sunday dinner and time together in the afternoon. There were five girls and they were all fine cooks. Good food was important in the Neir family. Through the years the family remained close through a yearly reunion. It seemed to me the family really enjoyed closeness, something I am grateful to see in our family. I am so thankful that our children enjoy getting together and coming home when they can. It seemed to me that talking about "spiritual" things in my dad's family was too personal to talk about openly. I think our family helped to change that after Roberta, John, and I were saved and had a burden for the Neir family. My dad's family were good, hard working people and I trust most of them trusted Christ. Some years ago after one of the reunions, I sent a letter to all the family explaining salvation and my concern that we would have a great reunion in heaven. I am thankful for this family background.

Grandmother from Sweden

My mom's parents John P. Johnson and Christina C. Franson each came from Sweden as young people and met and married in Marcus Iowa in 1894. They moved to Waseau, Nebraska and raised seven children there. Christina was known to have prayed for the salvation of each of her grandchildren. The Waseau Gazette stated: "she was a loving mother and deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children and friends for whom she prayed". She died before knowing many of her grandchildren. We are all greatly affected by those in our family line. What I hear about grandmother Christina reminds me a lot of my mother Alice. She had that same spiritual concern for her family. Faith is passed on in our families. I pray that my life and prayer will have an impact on those after me. Thank you Grandmother Christina for letting God use you in those yet to be born.