Ramblings of Ole Ma

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As we approach International Women's Day March 8, a day of celebrating the remarkable women who have shaped our lives, this Ole Ma finds herself drawn to the quiet strength and influence of women before me both those I've known and some whom I've only read about.  It's not lost on me , this profound impact women have on shaping our world.


Reflecting on my Grammie, with her apron-clad figure and ever present smile, embodied the spirit of kindness and generosity. Her farm was more than just a piece of land; it was a sanctuary where visitors were welcomed with open arms and endless servings of deliciousness. It was through her actions that I learned the importance of hospitality and the power of spreading joy through the simple life.


And then, a stroke of serendipitous destiny, her birthday falling on March 8,  International Women's  Day, there's my mom- a woman of resilience and unwavering determination that is unequivocally unmatched. Her journey, marked by battles with illness, accidents and adversity, has been a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Despite the challenges she faced, gracefully aand gratitude filled she never wavered in her commitment to her family, her faith, and her community. Her example has been a guiding light for me and a source of inspiration for my girls, Hannah and FarmHer Raye too who continue to carry her legacy of independence and "can do" attitude forward in their own lives.


I'm not sure why but thinkin' on "generations" ,  a familiar Bible story of Naomi comes to mind. Maybe it is because they endure some hard obstacles and tragedy of their own or maybe because Easter is coming. Her story though,  resonates deeply with me as Naomi served as a mentor to her daughter-in-law Ruth, guiding her through difficult times and shaping her character in profound ways.


Naomi's influence on Ruth echoes through generations, culminating in the lineage of King David. David, known for his courage, faith, and love for God, played a pivotal role in history. I like to think that a grandmother's prayers and gentle guidance must have had something to do with his growing into "a man after God's own heart" . His powerful legacy, extends far beyond earthly kingdoms.


David's lineage led us to Jesus, the Messiah, the ultimate embodiment of love, sacrifice, and redemption. As we approach Easter it lends itself to the profound impact of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection on humanity's salvation. His teachings of compassion, forgiveness, and humility continue to inspire countless generations, transcending time and culture. I'm struck by the ripple effect of mentorship and guidance of strength and tenacity. Our actions, no matter how small, can have far-reaching consequences beyond our wildest imagination. 


It was a really (really) tough week on the farm. We had quite a few losses and, well... things just seemed to go so tragically wrong. But now in the calm aftermath of crisis as we begin to catch our breath, two thoughts become the biggest take aways. Undoubtedly the first- that in Christ we can endure all things. Period. And no matter how hard, we can just keep moving forward. The second is a little more self reflective wondering. What did our kiddos learn as they watched us dance from fire to flame and back again this week? Like an orange when squeezed gives orange juice, what fruits did our kiddos see coming from us as we were wrung to wrought, by so many hard-hard things. Our tears unable to quench the firestorm.  


And... here we are back at Grammie. In those times of crisis, in the times when all the world rained down, like it did this week , I remember her pulling me close and whispering sweet prayers. And praise on her lips she would declare "we're sure making some memories" . Ohhh Grammie so many more than you'll ever know.  Just like Naomi's guidance shaped Ruth, and Ruth's loyalty bore fruit in David's lineage, so too can our efforts to mentor and lead inspire future generations to walk in paths of righteousness and grace even when we're just out there living the everyday moments.


Here's to the women who  guide, inspired, and lift up without even knowing sometimes and with that, doing it with a divine purpose woven into the stories of their loved ones for generations to come. Through acts of mentorship and kindness and sometimes just  mundane, every day-ness, we participate in a grander narrative of redemption and restoration, ultimately leading us to saving hope.  



This Ole Ma comes from a long long line of "never giver up-ers", "pull your boots tight and keep on keeping on-ers" and it's going to take more than a week like this to topple someone filled with generations of gravel and grit and a whole lot of Jesus!

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