Friday, June 09, 2006

My Grandma’s family lived in Wisconsin when she was little girl and her family was used to the finer things in life. They were considered to be quite wealthy and had money to buy the things they wanted and needed.

Grandma’s Father longed for more and heard there was farm ground in Minnesota that would yield wonderful crops and that would mean more money. So he bought farm ground in Northern Minnesota without seeing it.

When Grandma’s family arrived in Northern Minnesota they admired the beauty of their surroundings. Their delight soon turned to horror when they realized their farm ground was filled with rocks and that it would take countless backbreaking hours to make the ground tillable.

The luxurious lifestyle that they were accustomed too vanished and faded with all of the dreams and hopes that they had for their life in Minnesota. The children quickly learned how to work hard and did not waste energy on complaining. Their Mother provided encouragement to them and also provided a buffer protection against angry outbursts from their father.

Their garden was planted so they would have nutritious food to eat. Hunting became a means to provide meat for the table and to prevent starvation. Berry picking was not just a great adventure it was one more way to provide food for the family table.

The family found hope and joy in knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They loved to sit in the evenings and sing and play various instruments. They found peace in spending time together and enjoying each other’s company.

Grandma met and fell in love with Sid Moorhead. Her family did not approve because he came from a very poor family. It was ironic as Grandma’s family did not have money either. They wanted better for Grandma so she would not have to go without. Grandma knew that she had found a true treasure in Sid; and so they decided to elope. Grandma often said they did not consider themselves to be poor because they were so happy in their life together. They always had food to eat and a place to stay that kept them warm. They knew that had more than what most people had during the great depression.

They lived in a one room house, which I have seen. It was not much bigger than a modern day playhouse. After my Dad was born they had to buy a dresser for him. They found one for $6.00 which was a large amount of money for them. They paid off the dresser 50 cents a month.

As a young girl it was difficult for me to comprehend on how they could survive on so little. Grandma and Grandpa always told us that God had provided for all of their needs. Their faith in God meant more to them than the riches of this world.

25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt 6:25-34 (NKJV)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Michelle,

Yes, God did provide for Grandpa and Grandma and still does provide for Grandma. Tomorrow will be a hard day and probably will have some tears but I know that God will take care of Grandma and provide for her needs.

We love you very much.

Love always, Dad and Mom xoxo