Their lives were characterized by hard work, frugality, creativity, serving, strength through hard times, recycling, sacrifice and building lasting relationships. Growing up, I had the privilege of getting to know them and soaking up their teaching, especially over cups of tea, working alongside them and playing cards together. My dad's parents lived in the same yard. Often, I would see my grandfather collecting, chopping and hauling wood for his wood burning fireplace that burned steadily year-round. When he wasn't working around the farm, he would be found chatting with neighbours or sitting with his glue gun and wood burning tool, tinkering and being creative. My grandma suffered from extreme arthritis, but that didn't stop her from baking bread (using her elbows to knead the bread), gardening and cooking elaborate meals. She also offered a listening ear to whoever needed her and was a blessing to our community.
My mom's parents--my other grandparents--lived in town and were extremely hard-working. For fun, my grandpa would spend days at a time out west, catching wild horses for the rodeo. At home, his favourite place to be was at the local coffee shop, chatting with friends. My grandma did hair in her home into her 80's. She said she loved helping all the "old ladies" (most of whom were 10-20 years young than her). In her later years, I lived with her and helped her. She taught me many things about crafting, cooking and hospitality. She also told me I should save everything because I may never know when I might need it again--a tip that is beneficial until you try to pack up your house!
So here we are, in a place far beyond what is now considered "normal" in North America. More than ever, I find myself drawing on what was taught to me by my grandparents. For example, using less mixes and more of my own selection of herbs and spices for cooking, flavouring and dressings. I am also carefully washing out the ziplock bags and hanging them on the line to dry (something I was sure I would never do!). I am knitting and crocheting out of necessity instead of leisure, as we were short in our supply of dishcloths. Even saving carefully and spending cautiously instead of assuming our support will be complete for the next month.
Shifting our thinking from that of extremely rushed to one of taking time to invest in building relationships has taken time, but the fruit we are beginning to see is proving that relationships are vital.
Overall, our dependence on convenience and technology is being diminished and priority is bring placed on God, faith, family and community. I can't help but think that my grandparents would be proud that the lessons they taught made a difference in my life!
I am reminded of how much each generation has to offer the next generation. How often do we neglect to appreciate those who are older and wiser until it's too late? Perhaps it was Kim's grandmother who gave us the wisest advice when we were contemplating moving to Rwanda. It was simple: seek God, take a small step of faith and if it's meant to be, God will make it clear. Simple, wise and exactly what we needed to be reminded to do.
While technology insists on pushing us forward, let's not forget the lessons from the past. God brings those older and wiser into into our lives for a reason. Let's not miss all that He has in store!
Thank you for your continued prayers.
The Wilson family
Praise report!
Kim, Ethan and I have our visas:)
Our family is planning on connecting next Sunday with an English-speaking church, we look forward to this fellowship at least once a month!
Prayer request:
Nathan's birth certificate seems to be delayed, please pray that it is processed quickly (the rest of the kids have theirs, we are just waiting on Nathan's before shipping them back to Rwanda)
No comments:
Post a Comment