Family Friday

Another "finishing well" post this morning...

Casen got his middle name from my grandmother, Donna Mae Knox Johnson. This morning at about 5:30, she left the Land of the Dying and entered the Land of the Living. 

Memaw struggled with health issues almost her entire adult life. She first got cancer back in 1968, and it almost took her life then... twice. She struggled with a neuromuscular condition called "Myasthenia Gravis" that affected her muscles and caused her to get extremely tired after any elevated amount of activity at all. For the past decade, the Myasthenia Gravis and other issues affected her ability to breath and forced her to be on oxygen constantly. 

But aside from the oxygen cord that followed her wherever she went, and a slow pace that earned her the nickname "Lightning," you would have never known of any of her conditions. She trekked all over the world with grandchildren in tow (They took us all on a trip when we turned 8 years old). She loved my grandfather well - they were fast approaching 60 years of marriage. On days she couldn't make it to church, she and my grandfather would sing along with hymns over the stereo and listen to one of their favorite sermons on tape. She loved her family, but especially loved her Savior. 

Pray for my Grandfather, my mom and her two brothers. They don't grieve as those who have no hope, but they still grieve. Yet this morning, as I opened my Bible to reflect, I couldn't help but have a little private worship service as I read Isaiah 40:31:

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

This morning, as you read this blog post, at least one person is experiencing this metaphor in a very real sense, more alive than ever. 

4 comments:

lisa said...

i'm so sorry to hear this. she sounds like an amazing woman!

i am definitely praying. hugs!

Brenda Liniger said...

Chris I am so sorry to hear about your grandma, what an amazing spirit and love of the Lord she had. My prayers are for you and your entire family, I am sure she will be missed by many but how exciting that she is in heaven with our Savior.

Casey said...

Chris, I will be praying for your family. Your grandma sounds like an amazing woman! You will be in our thoughts!

Tomi said...

Oh Chris, so sorry to hear about your Grandma! My parents are in Heaven as well, and although it is a celebration, it makes it hard for us on this side!
I finally found you all from Kendall Brunson. We sent you a Christmas card this year, and it came back, so we didn't know what happened to you all! I see you have a son! Surprise! And...his name is not Chris....hmmmm....;) We miss ya and congratulations on this fresh life. God Bless you bro! Tomi Ostendorf
penjenta@gmail.com