My Pillars of Faith

While I was growing up, I had 3 examples of faith and Christian love. Because of the chance to get to know 3 of my grandparents, I was able to see how faith, and the love of God could carry you through so many things.  My fathers parents always belonged to the same church, and my grandmother still does. She joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church when she was just 16 yrs old. On September 20, 2007, my grandmother, Francis Lena Yunt Frost will turn 90 yrs old. She has outlived 4 younger siblings, 3 children, and her husband, and her faith in God has never waivered. My grandfather, H. Ray Frost, was her partner and husband for over 50 yrs before he passed away. They raised a child with severe cerebal palsy, and she lived to 53 yrs old, when they were told she would never see 15. I don't remember a time that they weren't there for us. The were there for their family, even when they didn't like the situation. When I got divorced, they didn't approve of divorce, but they knew the circumstances where different, and they were there for me, especially since I had already lost my father.

My other grandmother, Elizabeth Duncan Thomas, has had strength in the face of problems with her children, and then her grandchildren. She did not always handle her initial reaction well, but I never had any doubt that she would be there for her family, and lift them up in prayer and love. I have always been more like her than my mom. She also works a mean crossword puzzle! She is almost 86, and I am no more ready to lose either of these women then the day I was born. I know they both miss their husbands, and children that have gone on before them, and I pray that God gives them their strength until the time he takes them Home. I miss you Papaw, I love you Mamaw and Nano, and I hope my faith can continue the examples you have given to me. This poem is for them.

 My life has been

hard, long and dry

And there is many a time

I have had to ask, “why?”

I have always been strong

enough to pull through

because of my heart and soul

and my grandparents too!

They brought to my life

something to see

an inner strength of purpose

deep inside of me

They all had their faith

in Jesus Christ, our Lord

and did their very best

to follow God’s word!

Through drinking and death

and kid problems too

They held to their faith

and God’s words of truth!

That is why I say

with my confidence renewed

That my Pillars of Faith

are my grandparents too.