WWYGGS - what would your great grandmother say?

Last month I wrote about your great grandfather, Elpidio.  He was a great man but he didn’t become great on his own.  It was your great grandmother Altagracia that helped make him great. Each of us is flawed and your great grandmother was no exception. That being said, her contribution to this family and your life in particular, is rather significant. You were blessed to get to know her a little more than Elpidio but unfortunately by that time, she was a mere shell of the person she once was. 

 

To a large extent, you can attribute the faith of our family to Altagracia and Elpidio and as I wrote previously, it was your great grandmother that came to Christ first.  It was her conviction that eventually won granddad over enough to get him to come to church with her.  But…before I go into that, let me rewind the clock and tell you a story you likely don’t know. Grandma came from an affluent family in the Dominican Republic. When she met granddad it was not socially acceptable for a white woman to date a black man, especially not in “high society” of which her family was a member. Despite the cultural and financial consequences, she stuck with her heart and her convictions and ultimately married Elpidio.  Is it any wonder that when she came to Christ she stuck to her convictions despite granddads unbelief and reluctance?  Make no mistake about this, following her convictions cost her something, namely her family relationships and her inheritance.  Let this serve as a reminder to you to stick with your convictions despite the costs – especially when scripture supports your position.

 

Grandma was behind the scenes quite a bit and that allowed granddad to be the star of the show. That was a role she gladly and graciously played. In many ways she was a modern day Mary and Martha. Mary in that she remained focused on Him but Martha in that she worked as if everything she did was for Him. Altagracia had a heart of service and together with Elpidio, helped shape the next generation (Abby) which shaped mine and ultimately shaped yours.  You cannot inherit the faith of your parents, you have to experience it for yourself, BUT seeing the lineage of devoted Christians before you certainly informs how you view faith and whether you have you come to true faith yourself.  Her sacrifice, her conviction, and her commitment is what started it all for our family. 

 

At every turn, grandmother made the most of every opportunity and we are still reaping the benefits of her decisions. Even in the midst of her declining health she remained faithful and finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7).  To be honest, it was difficult to watch a devoted servant suffer the way she did the last several years of her life.  While we all miss her greatly, I’m glad her suffering is now over and she is now adorned with the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). 

 

Let me close by letting you know that she would be sooooo proud of you.  Devotion, conviction, sacrifice, and a heart of service are characteristics you both share. As your dad, I sit as an eager observer of all that God will do in your life and I’m thankful for Altagracia’s impact on our lives, even to this day!