Grace and peace to you sisters!
I pray this has been a month of deep reflection and growth, as we’ve considered the
steadfast ways of our Lord that we are called to emulate. It has been wonderful for me to meditate on this topic as well, and several people have come to mind as I’ve done so. These people are dear to me, and have shown me the nature of this word, ‘steadfast,’ simply by living out their everyday lives of faithfulness. They are a reflection of this definition of steadfastness that I found in the Webster’s 1828 dictionary: Firmness of mind or purpose; fixedness in principle; constancy; resolution; as the steadfastness of faith. “He adhered to his opinions with steadfastness.”
My husband is definitely fixed in his principles, and that translates to his everyday actions and choices. Some may critique this, to be so certain of Truth and it’s application to many life issues, but it brings a sense of peace and stability to my life to be reminded of the things we believe as Christians and as a family. I can count on Paul to remain true to his word because he is true to the Word of God. Two people that also come to mind are my parents, who brought us up to know the Word of God, and the importance of sharing the Gospel. It is amazing to see how so many things that I take for granted, that are woven into the fabric of my personality, are simply things that I was taught as a young child. I praise God for the steadfast witness and convictions of my parents.
But my heart has been heavy over the loss of an incredible woman, my Oma, who lived a remarkably steadfast life for almost 95 years. Oma, which is German for grandma, was born in Poland in 1918. She endured numerous trials in her life, many details we will never know. She was a nurse in the German army, and came through Ellis Island shortly after the war ended. Faithfully raising 5 children to know and love the Lord, she suffered marital and financial concerns. She learned English by listening to the radio, and cared for many children besides her own. In fact, many of those children she babysat to earn extra grocery money stayed in touch with her after she moved and retired to Florida.
What is striking for me is to think over all the things she suffered, and yet how she relied on the Lord through it all. I simply can’t imagine having to watch my family being threatened and shot at by Nazi soldiers, to come across the ocean on a boat, to suffer the loneliness of adjusting to a foreign culture and language, to raise my family without the support, encouragement, or finances needed, etc. The list is so long in my mind, but none of that seemed to deter Oma from her faithfulness to God. Many people choose to walk away from God when faced with trials that pale in comparison to what my Oma faced. Though she lived alone, I never saw fear or anxiety in her. She meditated on the Word of God and He gave her a steadfast heart and mind (Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 112:7)
I praise God for this steadfast example that I have to draw on, and know that our family line was impacted in such a mighty way by her faithful daily prayers for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I don’t think I would believe so strongly in prayer myself, had it not been for the example she passed on to my mother, who passed it on to me.
I think back on some rough years I’ve been through, and see where God is taking Paul and I now, and know that the joy we are experiencing is in part due to her faithful prayers that buoyed me through my storms. She always encouraged me to wait for the right man, and prayed faithfully that God would provide him in the right time. In fact, I still remember her joy when I called to tell her about meeting Paul. When I started teaching, she wrote letters and encouraged me that what I was doing was so important in the eyes of God. And though the slippers she knitted for me will not last forever, I have her memory in my heart, and look forward to the day we will be worshipping at the throne of God together. I am confident that God received glory from her life, as well as her death. I find myself living with more purpose and clarity as I reflect on her well-lived, steadfast life. God has called us to just a few short years here, sister. Live them well, steadfast in heart and mind, for the glory of our eternal King!
Resting in Him,
Ruth
“And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify
Him.” Isaiah 61:3b