As a little girl, being brought up in a Christian home, I have special memories of the holidays.  Thanksgiving was a special day in our home and we always had lots of people at our table.  This tradition goes back as far as I can remember.  It was very important to my Mom that we include others in this holiday because she had known what it was like to go without.  Being a military family, living on base at the Air Force Academy, often those people were cadets, or families who were new to the area.  These young men (this pre-dated women’s enrollment at the service academies) and families came into our homes and sat at our table and were served a delicious meal (my dad was a fabulous cook!).  They were invited to attend Thanksgiving services with us on Thursday morning and many of them joined us. They also were invited to share in the prayer-time before the big meal to give thanks to God for our blessings throughout the year.  They were exposed to our imperfect family that tried to rely upon God in all we did.

My mom epitomized steadfast faith.  She often reminded us that people should recognize that you are a Christian by the way you behave, not just by what you say.  She felt our actions of inclusion and Christ-like character spoke louder than any words. This attitude I’m sure was inculcated by the upbringing she had.  (1 John)

My mother’s faith was resolute despite an exceedingly hard life.  She never complained or felt sorry for herself, nor did her faith waiver.  As the youngest in a family of three children, she was born during the Depression.  Her father died when she was two.  The Salvation Army and the local Catholic church furnished them with clothing, and food, as well as hope and the opportunity to serve.  Unless you’ve gone without necessities, you don’t know the fear that depravation can foment.   At a very young age she learned to work for what she had, because nothing in this world is free (except His grace), and to be grateful to the Lord for providing all her needs.  From the time she was 14 years old, she worked outside her home.  After graduating, she worked in Civil Service for most of her adult life.  She raised four children to be independent thinkers in a time when conformity was expected in our society.  And independent we are – the four of us taking very different paths in our lives.  She also provided us with a living example of hope no matter what our circumstances and a fervent faith expressed in her actions and her words.  She lived the Salvation Army’s motto of a “hand up and not a hand out.”

I think about her often, especially at this time of year, because she went to her eternal rest in November 2000.  There are layers to the way we experience death.  We feel it in different ways because of the different relationships we are blessed to have.

I know there are others who are missing loved ones.  Some who are separated by death, some who are separated by miles or circumstances.  I would encourage you to share what you have with others and to look instead towards how lovingly our Father in Heaven provides for our every need.  For me, living that, and sharing that with others, is exactly the legacy my Mom left.  Thanks, Mom!

Abiding in His gracious mercy, peace and love,

Paula Anderson, President of HOME

Copyright November 2007, all right reserved