What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Thursday, May 10, 2018

"When I Am Through With This Book" - Updated

This was originally posted on 6/8/2016, but I thought it would be appropriate to revisit it this week in honor of Mother's Day.  Please read on...

Original Post 6/8/2016:


The above is a picture of the flyleaf inside my husband's grandmother's Bible. The back story on why he has this Bible in his possession is another story, but it is kind of a story within the story. First things first...

Please notice the little inscription at the bottom of the right hand page:

"For Vivian R. Steiner
Whin I am throu with this Book
July 31, 1956
Mother"
Pearl Sarah Elizabeth Waters Martin
Vivian is my husband's mother. Pearl Martin is her mother.  Pearl (we called her "Nanny Martin") wanted to make sure that her youngest (of four) daughters would receive this Bible "Whin I am throu with this Book".  She wrote that on on July 31, 1956, but she was not "throu" with this Bible until almost twenty seven years later, when the Lord called her home to heaven in January of 1983.  I am thinking that she may have felt like her time to go home would be much sooner, hence the inscription so early on.  


You see, her husband, John Martin,
John Richard Martin
had passed on a couple of years prior to that in 1954 after sustaining serious injuries in a tragic automobile accident.  He was only about 62 years old when he died.  So I'm thinking that Pearl didn't believe she would live too many more years after that.  But she did...even long enough for me to become a part of the family when I married her grandson in 1969...and even long enough to meet her great grandsons that we brought into the world in the subsequent years.





I also wanted to point out the  presentation message written above her inscription, to: 

"Mrs. Pearl Martin, 
With Appreciation from E.F.D., 
Zellwood, Fla. 
August, 1930

and especially note the scripture reference of Matthew 25:40, which says:

"And the King will answer and say to them,
'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, 
you did it to Me.'"

Now, I have no idea who "E.F.D." in Zellwood, Fla. was. However,  knowing my husband's grandmother from all the wonderful stories I have heard throughout the years, I can only imagine that this was someone to whom she had ministered in some way, possibly in her home. My husband's grandparents often held worship services in their home and many ministers and fellow brethren in Christ  spent many Sundays studying God's Word and breaking bread together in their humble home.(You can read more about that HERE)

My husband's grandparents did not have much of this world's goods...but what they did have was eternally valuable.  This little Bible that Pearl wanted to be sure went to her youngest daughter, my mother in law, was the most valuable gift she could give.  In looking through the pages, it is obvious that she was a serious student of God's Word, and she passed on that love of God and His Word to her children and to her children's children...especially my husband, who later became an ordained minister of the Gospel and has taught and preached God's Word for over forty years now.


My husband recently received this Bible from his mother, who is now almost 93 years old.  We are in the process of cleaning out her home and putting things in storage so that her house can be sold. For the past couple of years she has been living between our home and her other son's home as she is no longer able to live alone.  

But the real story here is not about things, books, or even the Bible.  The real story is the legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation.  A legacy of serving God, sharing in the fellowship of His Kingdom, and passing on the message of His love and salvation to everyone who will listen.  That is what my husband's grandparents did...and that legacy was passed down to us...and we hope it will be the same legacy that will continue in our own children and children's children for generations to come.  

This is how we want to be remembered...and "whin I am throu with this Book", it is our prayer that the message will go on and on and on until Christ comes to take all His children home to heaven.

Excerpts from Psalm 78:

1.  "Give ear, O my people, to my law;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth...

4.  We will not hide them from their children,
telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

6.  That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
that they may arise and declare them to their children,

7.  That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
but keep His commandments..."


This is certainly something worth thinking about. Exactly what are we leaving for our children?  Will it be a pile of worthless things that will ultimately go in the trash or to a thrift store because our kids have no use for it? (Yes, that is what often happens to our earthly "treasures"...I've already seen that at my parents' home and also as we clean out my mother in law's home. Our children often don't appreciate our collections of "stuff".)   Or will we leave for them a legacy of truth, love and hope for their future generations? 

Lord, give me the courage to speak truth to my children and grandchildren...
"that they may set their hope in God" 
Amen.

Pearl Sarah Elizabeth Waters Martin
4/4/1897-1/7/1983


Postscript 5/10/2018:  My hubby's mother, "Vivian", also known as "Nanny Steiner" to our family, is still thriving at the nursing home where she resides. She will be 95 this coming July. We look forward to celebrating Mother's Day with her this weekend. Here's a recent photo of her with her son, my hubby...




17 comments:

  1. This is how I want to be remembered too.

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    1. Yes! When all is said and done, these are the things that really matter...that which lasts for eternity.

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  2. Pam: Your family has such a beautiful heritage. Thank you for sharing these stories with us.

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    1. Thank you Cecilia. By the grace of God, yes! So thankful.

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  3. Thank you! God's peace be yours today, my friend.

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  4. Pam, This is a beautiful post. Our legacies do matter, greatly; even for those of us without children. I've given this some thought and have presented on it. This gives me an idea for a blog post (or two!). Thank you for sharing this!

    Blessings!

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    1. Yes, our influence/legacy goes beyond our own families...it extends to anyone within our sphere of influence...and that may be far greater than you realize! What you write on your blog goes out into the world...and that is a tremendous legacy! Stay faithful to your calling! God is working through you in more ways than you know.

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  5. I loved this Pamela, what a legacy to leave. I remember when my grandson first saw me write in my bible, he was surprised that I did. He now wants it when "I am through with my bible". He had me write on the back page that I am leaving it to him. My pray is that God will use it for His glory!

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    1. How cool is that? You are that special kind of grandmother that any child would be blessed to have. And see? Look at the influence you have had already on your grandson? He may grow up to be a preacher or missionary or teacher...you never know how your faithful witness is influencing those around you...even when you may not be aware of it at all! Praise God! Keep the faith!

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  6. Hi! I found your blog from "Visits with Mary" Your post about this Bible brought tears to my eyes. What a legacy our family leaves to us! This Bible is a tangible example of it. How precious. I will be adding you to my favorite reads. Have a blessed day.

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    1. Oh thank you, Melanie! So happy to make your acquaintance. Yes, we just never know how our own grandchildren and/or others in the future will be affected by what we say/do today. It is really something to think about.
      I look forward to getting to know you better in the near future! Blessings to you as well.

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  7. What a special post today. We can only hope and pray that the legacy we leave behind is love, hope and truth. All the unimportant things go by the way-side but these will remain with them forever.

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  8. What precious pictures Pam and that's the legacy I too want to leave. I want my children to be able to say, "My mama was a woman after God's own heart". Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  9. Oh Pam, thank you for sharing this deeply meaningful post again. I'm mindful of how important the roles women play are in this world--even those without children can be spiritual moms and impact far more lives than they can ever know.

    Blessings to you and Happy Mother's Day!

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  10. This is a special post for a lot of reason. I really enjoy seeing this picture of your mother-in-law. I love her smile. Happy Mother's Day to you and to her. Peace and Blessings.

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  11. Just beautiful, Pamela. Yes, it's such an important question to ask, "What legacy are we leaving our children and grandchildren?" The best we can pass on is the love of the Lord for us, and that we should love others in the same way. Things will end up on the trash heap of life, but the eternal promise is, well, eternal!
    And speaking of Bibles, I was given my grandfather's Bible by my cousin, and I treasure it to this day.
    Blessings to you, and Happy Mother's Day!

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  12. It is a blessing to children to have godly parents, and an equal blessing to parents to have godly children! (3 John 4)

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