Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Grandmother's Project Table


"...distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality."
~ Romans 12:13

One thing I will always remember about my husbands' grandmother was her project table. When you walked into her family room, it was often sitting there, waiting to bless some one. I would get excited to see what she was up to that week. I had never known a woman that was so industrious and I was inspired!

She mended stacks of clothes which her family no longer used. She carefully replaced any missing buttons, scrubbed out any stains and washed them until they were almost new. She would mail them to faraway lands where people would use them.

She baked mounds of apricot danishes which tasted like heaven. She would call all the children and grandchildren. "Come over, I have some surprises for you." And everyone came running, excited to see her love transformed into pastries and other dainties.  

Sometimes her project table was a laundry station. Her new grand-daughter-in-law and others who lived in apartments when newly married, lacked an area to do washing. Grandmother wouldn't hear of them going to the laundromat. She would say, "drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon." She had a way of saying it and we listened.

When she passed on, people would later share of the pies that were left on their porches, of handwritten cards that were sent to them during trials. I smiled for I knew where they were written, I imagined them piled in stacks, organized neatly and waiting to be stamped on that old project table.

If you were to ask me what I want to be when I am "grown up", I would say "grandmother". We are never too old to be a blessing and never too young to start...

"Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven."

18 comments:

  1. I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. This was a truly beautiful post... I pray that is the kind of woman I will be when I am older...

    Thank you so much for sharing!

    Blessings in Christ,
    Kelly-Anne

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  3. This reminds me of a poem I've heard about 'tables.' Thank you. Sometimes we just need to hear that there are people out there who will pitch in and do your laundry for you simply because it's a nice thing to do. Not only to be on the receiving end, but to try to be one of those people also.
    How truly wonderful.

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  4. I think - now, that I've read this post - I recall to myself where I used to say I would just like to be a "grammy" someday.

    lovely post. Glad I stopped by today!

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  5. Thank you. Thank you so much for sharing your mentor so she could mentor us, too! What an example of godly womanhood... love from the heart and home... blessed to be a blessing... staying ahead of any potential lonliness or uselessness by reaching out to others... so glad I read this today!

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  6. I loved reading this post! How refreshing to read how your grandmother-in-law knew her place and made the most of it. What a beautiful way to express the position the Lord has given to us. Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend!

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  7. What a testimony! Grandmother sounded like a true saint, thank you for sharing this story.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  8. What a wonderful selfless example she was to you and so many others. Lord, may I too be a blessing and extension of Your love like this woman was.

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  9. What a dear, wonderful lady! So giving and compassionate, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. People like her are a vanishing breed. May we learn from her example and pour ourselves out in service to others the way she did, for truly this is the most joyful way to live. :) Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. It was a comfort and blessing.

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  10. What a precious woman.... so glad you were privileged to know her and be loved by her. May we each strive for becoming that kind of woman. Thank you for posting this. :)

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  11. What a beautiful and inspiring lady. I hope I can be remembered in such a way...a worthy woman to use as an example.

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  12. As a Grandmother I can think of nothing more fulfilling than doing for my children and grandchildren.
    Your grandmother was a saint, in-deed!

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    Replies
    1. This is what I hope to do someday when I'm done homeschooling Sylvia.

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  13. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post with us JES! Enjoy your day.

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  14. Oh JES, this was such a precious, heartwarming post :) Grandmothers.... they are a beautiful gift from the Lord. I loved what you said at the end,

    "If you were to ask me what I want to be when I am "grown up", I would say "grandmother". We are never too old to be a blessing and never too young to start..."

    My heart was richly blessed - thank you for sharing at ROI. Have a lovely day! Hugs

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  15. Thank you for sharing this lovely story. What an amazing woman !! A great example she was.
    I'm visiting from Roses of Inspiration.

    Blessings to you,
    Wilma, Shabby Royale.

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  16. Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!
    She had a way of keeping her loved ones close, too.

    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  17. I loved this post! I see I've commented before on it. I could just picture it! Still working my way through your blog. Happy Christmas!
    Laura

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