Love has a ripple effect. Love cannot be contained in just one single moment or action. Love is a catalyst, a continuation of sorts. Love is not captivated by time. It is on going, ever-growing, despite change. Christ is love. -AFilly
Love is what you find at the core of these four incredible women.
Three generations, but it all started with one.
Merle the Pearl (as she is appropriately nicknamed) is a beautiful mother, and grandmother. Well into her 70’s she and her husband rededicated their lives to Christ. That single action gave their granddaughter, Amanda, a deeper understanding of Christ’s love. The love of Christ wasn’t based on what we do for Him, but instead, on appreciating and recognizing what Christ has done for us, and falling in love with him.
Merle’s love for the Lord reflected into Amanda’s life and the lives of those around her. Many mornings, young Amanda would awaken in her grandparent’s house, and find them drinking their morning coffee, quietly reading their Bibles. This not only comforted Amanda, but sparked her interest into getting to know Christ better.
The spark in Amanda, turned to a flame because of her mother, Leigh Anne. Growing up, Amanda and her mother got along decently, but it wasn’t until her teenage years that Amanda began to realize that they held an even deeper bond. They were not only a mother and a daughter, but also, both sisters in Christ. Hard times began to solidify and strengthen their relationship with each other and their heavenly father. Many times Amanda would ask God why her parents got divorced, why her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and why God would allow such pain into her family…
It was through her mother that God answered those questions. Leigh Anne’s faith deepened in those difficult years. Instead of basing her happiness and faith on her circumstances, she clung to the joy of the Lord. That did not mean that life was perfect, but it did give way to allowing Christ to deepen Leigh Anne’s love for him, and for those around her. Amanda and her mother became closer than they had ever been before during that time. They walked side by side, leaning on each other, and trusting Christ.
Through her mother’s great example, encouragement, patience, and prayer Amanda has seen her younger sister, Abbey, develop into a wonderful young woman after God’s own heart as well.
Love has a ripple effect, it truly does.
Years later, grandmother Merle is 93 and as beautiful as ever, though she often has difficultly remembering who she is, and where she is. Her brain is now riddled with Alzheimer’s. But once again, Christ has used a seemingly heartbreaking circumstance to deepen the intimacy and love of those who are in relationship with him.
Merle may not remember her name, but she remembers her Savior. She often finds comfort in old hymns and somehow remembers every single word. The love of Christ is reflected to Merle, by her daughter and granddaughters. Leigh Anne lives with and loves on her mother everyday. Though it is difficult and frustrating at times, Leigh Anne desires to show her mother love and kindness.
Christ’s love in not circumstantial. These four incredible women are testaments of that and strive to love like Christ. They want their love to not be determined by how they feel, what they do, or how other’s love them, but unchangingly on Christ, Jesus.
For his love is constant.
xo
AnnaFilly
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