I realize this is Daddy's Day weekend, but forgive me if I spend a little time talking about Mama's and Grandma's. This week I said goodbye to one of the "Mama's" in my life. Nanny was 90 years old and was the mother of my first husband. Its a bit strange I suppose to write about her, but even though her son and I parted ways, she and I remained friends. Many times over the years Nanny was there for me, supporting the kids and me both emotionally and financially. She never reprimanded me nor scolded me for the divorce. Her love was constant and even though we did knock heads a few times over little things, we understood each other and we loved. When I remarried, she accepted my husband as a family member and loved him without question.
God's love has many faces, but I am convinced that His love in the heart of a mom or grandma has special qualities that make it deeper, fuller somehow. We have all read the old thing about our hearts walking around outside our bodies once we become a mom. Of course it is true, and it carries down to the grandchildren and the great-grands.
Years ago I had a pin that read, "Mother's are made in Heaven." How true! God's love in a mother's heart is a work of grace. When everything in the natural says walk away, if it concerns your child or grandchild, you hang in there. You forgive. You start again. You look for the best. You make excuses for the wrongs. You do all possible to make life a little easier for your child; to maintain the relationship.
Nanny had every right to throw our relationship away, but she chose not to. Its a lesson worth learning. How many stories do we hear about estranged children, grandparents, parents who have gone through some sort of separation? We do have a free will, we have a choice. We can stay and work it out or walk away and let unforgiveness slip in.
Thank you Lord, for unconditional love. It comes from you but it takes many faces. Today I'm thinking of the face of a loving Nanny.
