‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ said Mary. ‘May it be done to me according to your word.’
Luke 1:38a CSB

My husband’s grandmother became my role model after I gave birth to our first child. So much so that our second child became her namesake because of the relationship she built with our first-born daughter.

Married as a teenager, she gave birth to her first child early in life. Later, she chose to make the most out of being a young grandmother by walking alongside her grandchildren and great grandchildren in an intentional and meaningful way as long as she lived.

Mimi’s house was joyful, fun, clean and orderly, abundantly stocked with good food — with an added bonus of glorious smells wafting from her kitchen. She was delighted when her doorbell rang and always made every visitor feel like an honored guest.

Her spiritual gifts of administration and hospitality were enhanced by her ability to boss us around without anyone realizing it! Good behavior was expected in her home, but she never needed to discipline anyone because of the joy of Jesus which she exuded.

Her Christ-committed sanguine personality allowed her to be one of the blessed ones who fought the good fight of her faith by showing others how to live. (I Timothy 6:12)

A gold three-dimensional object had its place of honor on her kitchen window sill. The sculptural piece was simply a two-word statement that made a lasting mark on me as a young wife and mother. The words were, “YES, LORD.”

I intend absolutely no disrespect by comparing her to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, when I point out a similarity in the New Testament account of Mary’s obedience. Even after this Jewish teenager had been told by an angel of her pregnancy, Mary obeyed within just a few words of explanation from the angel. What a special young girl to go from that day forward in faith to eventually survive an arduous donkey ride a few days before she gave birth to this child in a stable. Her faithful walk with her Son took her all the way to the foot of the Cross where He was crucified. (Luke 1:26-38)

Just as Mary’s faith was displayed to the world when she said, “Yes, Lord,” Mimi’s faith was displayed before her family when she also said, “Yes, Lord.”

Father God, when we don’t understand what is happening now in our life, help us to trust You. Walk with us, Jesus, while we step out our faith before our children each day.

Jill Hendrix