Legacy – In the Little Things
Dear Friends,
This week in our What She Said series, we welcome back Patsy Kuipers, the “Gardening Grammie”, a title encompassing two of her favorite pastimes. Widowed at age 38, Patsy was blessed to be gainfully employed for all the years she spent raising two daughters on her own. When the corporation she worked for thirty years eliminated her job, she returned to school to study horticulture, a passion born of caring for the garden her husband, Ray, left as part of his legacy. When I see the beautiful flowers and plants in “Ray’s Garden”, I often tell Patsy that I hope I can one day spend an afternoon walking through the garden with her, soaking up the peace and comfort of its beauty. Patsy is Grammie to three enthusiastic garden helpers. She serves as an advisor to the Women’s Ministry Committee at Covenant Church in Dallas, Georgia, where she also leads Bible studies. Patsy started her blog, Back 2 the Garden (patsykuipers.com), to tell others of God’s great love and faithfulness. In 2020, she realized a long-time dream when she compiled some of the lessons she’s learned in her garden into a book, Be Still: Quiet Moments With God in My Garden.
In this week’s devotionals, Patsy introduces us to people who helped shape her love for Jesus and her family, showing how the little things are actually often the big things that help build a strong foundation of faith and the priceless feeling of being deeply loved and safe.
Though Patsy’s beloved grandfather, PaPa, died when she was almost seven years old, she shares ways his treatment of her forever imprinted his love on her heart:
“Over the intervening decades, I’ve often marveled at how deeply I still feel PaPa’s love. Remembering his kind, gentle demeanor and the acceptance and security I felt in his presence moves me to tears, even though I didn’t get to spend much time with him during the not-quite-seven years we were on this earth together.
Since becoming a grandmother fourteen years ago, a desire to love my grandchildren equally well has joined my wonder at the loving bond between PaPa and me, a bond that has transcended the grave.
I cherish the memories of our little routines. I recall walking hand in hand with him to the small general store, stopping at the post office to check Box 73 for mail, and waiting for the train to come by so we could wave to the conductor and count the cars.
But my favorite activity was eating apples with him. PaPa would sit me on his lap; then, with an apple in one hand and his pocketknife in the other, he’d cut a slice for me, then a slice for himself. The process would continue back and forth until we finished the tasty fruit. For as long as I can remember, I’ve eaten an apple almost every day. When I do, I always think of my grandfather…The most significant gift PaPa shared with me was his faith. I’ve wondered if he was the first in his family to trust in Jesus or was following in his forefathers’ footsteps… Carrying on our family’s legacy of faith is my highest calling as a grandmother. I endeavor to weave God into our conversations and experiences, pointing my grandchildren to the One Who created this great big, beautiful world and loved them enough to send His Son to die for them. It is a blessing and a privilege to come alongside their parents as they raise these precious children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. And what a joy it is to worship side-by-side on Sunday mornings, our voices united in prayer and song!”
Whether you have or had a PaPa like Patsy’s, her description of him, along with other beloved family members, will inspire you to prayerfully consider the opportunities the Lord gives you every day to reflect Jesus in what seem to be mundane moments, yet might become the very treasures God is using to create a legacy of faith in others.
As you read or listen to Daily Treasure this week, may our Father open your heart to hear His encouragement and guidance for you, especially in the mundane moments of life.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Before you get out of bed each day this week, ask the Lord to make you very intentional about noticing those around you, to see ways you can turn a mundane moment into a gift for the one you are serving — your child, friend, a family member. See the things you do every day as opportunities to create memories and rhythms of life that speak love and safety.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You know every detail of our life, and You promise in Your Word that Your mercies are new every morning, and by faith we believe You have provided what we need to do the next “right” thing in our life. As we start this week, please use these devotions to remind us of Your unfailing love.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
