Those were the hands of my granny

Learn from the elders when the going gets tough

A black and white photograph under glass, which has had its rough and tumble, but which seems to be even more genuine, given its yellowed colour and scratches here and there.  “That photo on the wall is very powerful!” I comment while looking into my host’s eyes.  The Dutchwoman smiles and answers: “Those were the hands of my granny!“

Her granny experienced the war years or should one rather say endured them.  Fear, mourning and uncertainty.  The scene shows folded hands resting on a well-read Bible.  The inner strength of this woman, who I never met, shines forth and I start to sense the strength of her faith.

Paul writes to a group of Christians in the Greek city of Corinth: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)  In the past few weeks we have received five bits of bad news which trouble us greatly.

When the woman in the photo died at the end of a long life, she knew exactly where she was going: into the presence of God!  Despite everything she had been through, she had experienced God firsthand.  That is why she was hard pressed, but not crushed. KDJ

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