Whenever I think of my Grandma, my heart rejoices and my soul smiles. She forever remains a portrait of beauty, strength, and most of all, JOY! Joy in her voice, joy in her prayers, and joy in her arms. I can hear her saying, “Crystal darling!” and the sound of her voice fills me with warmth. A lifetime of precious moments and memories with her swim in my mind… but one word always stands out and that is, “JOY!” The verse God laid on my heart for her; equally significant both before and after her passing is:

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
~ Nehemiah 8:10

THIS was and is my Grandma! Her life sang a song (daily!) of complete trust, active faith and everlasting JOY! As I remember the beauty of her testimony, it is easy to see she was continually walking in the Spirit. She was always displaying and glowing with His fruit…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
~ Galatians 5:22-25

Whether she was singing, cooking, sharing, serving, praying, or suffering, Grandma did all with joy in her heart. She pursued the Spirit, walked in the Spirit, obeyed the Spirit – and the evidence of His fruit in her was crystal clear. The prayer of my heart is to follow her example and truly grow in wisdom each day, through any and every season of life.

The MacArthur study bible commentary on the fruit of joy is the perfect definition of this overflowing spiritual joy that glowed in Grandma:

“Joy – A happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord (1 Peter 1:8). Joy is not the result of favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those circumstances are the most painful and severe (John 16:20-22). Joy is a gift from God, and as such, believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in the blessing they already possess (Romans 4:17; Philippians 4:4).”

A few days after Grandma arrived in heaven, the Lord lovingly sent me this gorgeous pink rose, and I knew it was just for her. It took my breath away and reminded me of the hope she built her life upon. Just as the beauty of this perfect pink rose is shining, so my Grandma is also shining in the joy and glory of the Lord. Hallelujah!

As much as we are still deeply grieving, we do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Because we know the following verse is true. She is now in the presence of His glory, with exceeding JOY! To know she is forever with her God (and reunited with my Grandpa, at last!) fills me with the same joy that sustained her for 92 years… thank you, Grandma, for your testimony, your example, and your legacy of joy!

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.”
– Jude 1:24-25

AMEN!!!