No matter how hard you try–or how much advanced notice you receive–you can never fully be ready for the death of a loved one. At around 7pm last night (Oct 7), our beloved Nannie (my wife’s paternal grandmother) took her last breath on this earth. To say she will be missed is an understatement. I’ve always felt a strong connection to her, no doubt, because she reminded me of my own grandmothers. For the past 5-8 years, always around the holidays, it became a common occurrence for her to send us home with tangible things she owned that she wanted to pass down to us. Each item was something of great sentimental value to her. While we always appreciated receiving those items, I must admit, one of the most valuable gifts given to me and my children was already in our possession. It’s the Godly heritage that her granddaughter, my wife, carries with her. I’ve heard many stories over the years from my wife how Nannie had such a strong hand in her spiritual maturity and growth over her lifetime. My wife has recounted many memories of Nannie taking her to school each day after her parents had already left for work. Before leaving for the day, Nannie would fix and serve Jennifer breakfast and spend a little time with her. Without fail, before stepping into the car, they always kneeled beside the couch together and prayed over the day. Even beyond her childhood, I can’t tell you the countless times I’ve heard my wife have spiritually based conversations with her Nannie over the years.
Chances are, I’ll never be a multi-millionaire (though I still hold out hope Publishers Clearing House will show up on my doorstep any day now). When I pass, my children will be left with a few items that had sentimental value to me. But, in the long run, it won’t provide them with great riches. The older I become, the more I realize, what’s important to me is that they (as well as my future grandchildren and beyond) follow God all the days of their lives. You see, Nannie understood the importance of planting seeds into my wife’s life very early on. Nannie had a large hand in “train[ing] up a child in the way he (she) should go,” as we’re instructed in Proverbs 22:6 Nannie may have never stood on stages and preached God’s word to millions of people, but her reach went well beyond her little house in Hodges, SC. She could constantly be found fixing meals for those in need, loving on anyone she came in contact with, sacrificially giving to the work of the kingdom through supporting her local church and missionaries, and so much more. She lived a life of servanthood to everyone around her.
You may never read about her in any history books, but her ministry will live on through the lives of countless people. Every person my wife, my children, or I (or anyone she ever came in contact with, for that matter) will ever touch will be an extension of Gladys Godfrey. Everything Nannie ever became was a direct extension of the God she served. I have no doubt, last night, she heard those words we all long to hear…. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Today and the coming days will be sad for many of us. But this isn’t the end of her story. We’re only starting another chapter because her story continues. As believers, we have a hope of one day being reunited. And what a day that will be!! She is simply joining that great cloud of witnesses that is cheering the rest of us on. This isn’t goodbye. Rather, see you soon, Nannie!
What are you leaving behind?