Minnie Grindstaff (Grandmother)

A year ago today, my great-grandmother passed away. She was 92 years old, and lived in the same area of the county her whole life. She raised three children, my aunt Juanita, my grandma Laura, and uncle R.L. She was married to Ben Grindstaff, my grandad who died a few years ago. She dedicated her life to serving her family and never got tired of who she was and the lot God had given her--she was content with her life. My uncle Raymond preached her funeral last year, and I will never forget it. He preached through Proverbs 31 as a testimony to my grandmother. I am so inspired by her life of simple Christian service, and want this post to honor her.

She truly embodied the Proverbs 31 woman. She had a quiet humble nature, she never put on airs. When she was younger, she tended a garden, quilted, made clothes, canned vegetables and made the best apple butter in the world. Her husband was a deacon at church, and everyone in the community spoke well of them. Her children loved her and took care of her in her own home until she died. She was never a lazy woman, and her children can attest to that. She could shoot a shotgun better than my grandad, and she never learned how to drive a car. She went to the beach once in her life, but prefered to stay home close to the mountains. She always had a Bible next to her chair, along with a Sunday school quarterly and the newspaper. She had a quiet sense of humor, and never complained about her ailments. She was an amazing woman. Although she never went to college or had any international adventures, she was used by God all the same. I wrote out Proverbs 31 below, and every verse matches my grandmother's life. What an inspiration.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hand to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31