About 18 years ago…
I heard a soft whisper say…
“You will be writing your Grandma’s eulogy.”
Now Grandma Bell was still filled with life…
and me?
being of a rebellious nature
with a touch of stage fright,
I immediately dismissed the conversation
and went on my merry way of pursuing ‘my’ own will.
8 years later,
the news came that Grandma Bell had passed.
She truly made me feel special.
Her sweet faith and simple words
spoke volumes
to a wayward natured child
like myself .
When I learned of her passing,
the fingers met the keyboard
and 15 minutes later,
this poem came out:
Montrose Rose
Mud pies and lily paths
Hot days and rainy baths
Imagination plays for days
Relaxing in a Sunday haze
Smells of dirt between my toes
Wandering through her fresh crop rows
Smiling lips and peace-filled eyes
She had no fear of her demise.
Hazel is the one that sees
in her maker’s hand
to BE.
One of my favorite memories
is how she would wander through her garden,
set aside chosen lilies
and give each one a special name…
usually from one of her children
or a newest addition to the family.
Little did she know,
her walks through the garden
were making footsteps into my heart
and softening the soil of my soul.
Grandma’s love and sweet nature
helped me understand God’s love
and the special attention
He gives to each of us.
He has called her by name
into His garden
filled with His presence.
She is now, one of his heavenly lilies.
My hubby and I made the long, cold snowy drive
up to Arkansas to celebrate Grandma’s life.
The church pews were filled with the Love of everyone
sHE had touched in their lives.
Just as we sat down,
my Uncle Charles who is a minister
began the eulogy with these words…
MONTROSE ROSE…
and continued to read the rest of
God’s tribute that was ever so gently
planted in my heart 8 years prior.
I am so thankful
for having a LIVING God…
Who is faithful to speak through someone like me…
someone who lacks faith
a lot of the time to do His will…
I am thankful
that He works in mysterious ways
to get His messages across…
I am thankful
for my Grandma Bell
whose simple faith
plowed through the soil of a hardened world
just to plant a seed for someone like me.
How about you?
Do you have that special someone
who planted Kingdom seeds into your hearts soil?
or are you the Farmer
fertilizing the ground of someone’s soil?
Either way… just know…
You are His chosen lily!!!
Grandma’s Garden sold recently at a trunk show in Mer Rouge, LA
A fresh crop of garden paintings will begin early summer!
If you are interested in one, please let me know
and it will be added to the bouquet.
We recently had two successful showings in North Louisiana!
If you are interested in hosting a trunk show …
more paintings should be ready by the end of the summer or sooner…
message me if you’d like to have Josephine’s World of painted hope come into your home…
A world where the grass is always green and we are free to just BE!
Thanks for sharing Kim. I was fortunate enough to have one of those inspiring Arkansas Grandma’s (Gomer) also. Thanks for sharing a beautiful story and for staying true to your calling.
God Bless you my friend.
Awww… Carl!!! I lover your Grandma’s name! Aren’t we the lucky ones to have had someone like that in our lives? Thank you for your sweet words and I pray many blessings to you too my friend!
It’s so amazing how God knows exactly who to plant in our lives that fill us with HIS nature and love
Isn’t it though? We are all taken such a good care in so many special ways. We are truly blessed and YOU are a blessing to me as well my friend! So thankful He planted you in my life too!
Beautiful painting and beautiful words! How lesser we are to have had grandparents who loved Him and loved us enough to pray for us!
I couldn’t have said it better Diane! Thank goodness for those praying mommas who prayed us into the Kingdom!
This is so beautiful. I love the pure heart of love expressed through these paintings and writings. Blessings….
Thank you so much Linda! I love that He has connected us… even though it’s been a few months… it feels like we’ve known each other for years… right? The power of His Love always brings us deeper! Looking forward to our next PowWow!
Oh wow! Oh Wow! I find it interesting that the name Hazel has come up for me this week in many ways, and I don’tk know any Hazels!!! —>except for NOW! And sHe….. (brilliant) has touched my life through you! I am seeing more and more God nudging and saying, ‘I will do a new and creative thing in you’ —>you simply must listen and do.
Thank you my Kimbo. Ah….! My heart is full!
Oh D! Please forgive me for this late reply! And yes… He is most certainly doing an incredibly beautiful thing through you. Love you to the moon and back my friend… It’s so exciting to watch us all unfold into His hands… right?