March Forth
By Marty Norman
March is a cold and blustery month – it blows in like a lion, goes out like a lamb. That’s pretty much the beginning and end of the matter. You never know what to expect. One year a snowsuit might be the only thing that keeps you warm; the next, shorts or a swim suit a must - due to an early heat wave.
As Grandmothers we are a lot like March. At least I am. As a young mom, I definitely roared like a lion. Full of energy, wildly protective, I stalked around pouncing on enemies and friends alike, seeing them as prey that might potentially upset my environment. I kept my den clean, weaned my cubs, and trained them for the battles of life. I was constantly on point for potential danger from the outside world. As I aged and they grew I took to lying in the sun, guarding the pride, for there was much to be done.
Perhaps you identify.
Over the years I have mellowed. Today my life is comfortable. I am gentler in word and deed. I certainly am calmer, content to move and graze slowly, enjoying the field in which I am placed. I like the grass before me. I do not feel the need to move to greener pastures. I literally graze and enjoy. No more stalking for me. Nor do I plot and plan. Rather I am content to let the Lord lead and guide, shepherd with his presence and the touch of his crook.
Yes, I think I am a lamb. It’s nice to be a lamb at the end of March. It’s comfortable, fun, easy. I like March.
In fact, I was born in March, the fourth to be exact. My friend Janina says that my birthday is a commission from the Lord. “March forth” she says. “March forth for his glory and his kingdom.”
I like that she encourages me in this call. I like thinking that I am commissioned to “march forth” in pursuit of and in the building up of the kingdom.
As a grandmother, this commission fits now more than ever. As a seasoned sojourner as well as a seasoned Christian, I don’t feel militant, but I am zealous and perhaps a bit radical in my passion for the Lord. The scripture tells us to neither look to the right nor the left, to follow the lord’s commands with zeal, to leave home and country in order to follow the Lord, to take up our cross and follow him.
I have not gone that far yet, but my passion grows every day. There is a fire in my belly that won’t go out. As I check the calendar and review the obituaries, I know that there is not much time left. What will I do with the time allotted to me? Where will I spend my energies?
As I ponder these realities, I realize that “marching forth” involves some sort of army or gathering of like minded souls. So where do I find these people?
The answer: right in front of me. They are God’s army – the believers and followers who seek to do his will and further his kingdom. They are the community in which God has placed me.
But what is my status in this army? Hopefully age is an indicator. Surely if I’ve not yet mastered colonel, I have at least reached the rank of lieutenant. It is important to lead for I have a small platoon of children and grandchildren that follow behind.
As I ponder my orders, I have many questions. Have I taken the easy way along the highway? Or am I leading them down the narrow path? Am I being stubborn and hard-hearted, taking shortcuts, getting bogged down in a pit of mud. Am I dragging others along? Or am I listening to the voice of God and passing on the wisdom of the ages to the next generation?
I think I am on God’s path as I follow my biblical compass and the map spread before me. I pray that I am leading the way by my words and actions and that my grandchildren see who I am and what I stand for. I am pretty sure they are not confused as to what General I follow and where I find his orders.
Recently I went to a funeral. Momo, known by young and old alike by her grandmother name, was my friend Lenda’s mother. Rainey, her granddaughter eloquently s1hared the ways MoMo had touched her life.
MoMo lived her faith. Kneeling by the bed every night she taught them to pray. Unafraid, she not only wrote letters of encouragement, but she also sent bible verses and spiritual poems. Rainey kept a file. She was able to bring forth MoMo’s words of inspiration, faith, and wisdom at a moment’s notice. What a legacy of faith from grandmother to granddaughter.
MoMo’s actions have inspired me. Although I email my grandchildren, there is nothing like a handwritten note for posterity. This year I have resolved to send them more hand written letters, more personal notes. I want them to have something tangible to keep. Somehow I think that printing emails is not the same as a letter. I desire that they have words of wisdom from me in my own handwriting.
And today I have decided to share my commission to “march forth” with you. I hope you will adopt it as your own. So this March I call all grandmothers to “march forth” for the kingdom, for we have no idea what the future holds.
As grandmothers, let’s resolve to make 2009 a year to “march forth” for the Lord, beginning with the baby lambs placed in our care. To be the lamb of the shepherd, to hear the master’s voice and follows him is the best gift we can give our grandchildren. To mentor the baby lambs placed in our care to the best of our ability is a commission worth fighting for.
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