A Godly Heritage

Of all the riches that God has given me, one of the most prized is my godly heritage! Although both my paternal and maternal grandparents were born-again believers, my maternal grandmother and her family have had the most tangible spiritual effect on our family and my life personally.

My grandmother, Oneeta Chadwell Dayberry, was a woman of God who walked in faith and purity. Although for many years her husband was not a believer, she had a remarkable influence on her six daughters. My mother is the fifth of those girls. Ironically, all the six girls admired and respected their mother, but none of them had made a profession of faith until my mother, at age 15, became a Christian. Soon the other Dayberry Sisters followed and, in the years that followed, four of them (along with their pastor’s daughter) formed a gospel singing group, The Starlet Quintet.

My mother met my dad when, as a young evangelist, he came to her church for a revival and she was the church pianist. They dated for three years and then married. All of this was over 60 years ago. My grandma, Oneeta Dayberry, died at a very early age. She went to heaven when she was younger than I am now. She did live to see her girls grow up, serve The Lord, marry, and have children. And she lived to see the birth of her 16 grandchildren. But she never saw any of those grandchildren grow to adulthood. So, although most of those grandchildren have memories of her during those years when we were young children, we lost her when we were very young.

I often think of Grandma Dayberry when I think of our family. Grandma was a Pentecostal believer who loved the ministry so much! She died before she saw the fulfilment of a promise that was in every home that bore children. In my generation of our family there are nine Pentecostal preachers/ministries out of 15 children that lived to adulthood. And the following generation includes scores of great-grandchildren who are in Christian ministry. Nearly every child born into our family, and there are many, is a professing Christian. The influence of godly parents and grandparents cannot be overrated, but there is no way to evaluate the influence of the single, committed life of one godly mother, Oneeta Chadwell Dayberry, who poured her life into her children and grandchildren and passed her love for God down to them.

Just this week, many of our family met together to honor the memories of our grandparents, Roy and Oneeta Dayberry, and to decorate their graves. But the greatest honor to them was the gathering of their remaining children and their spouses, who range in age from 80-94. There is no greater testimony to a life well-lived than those that endeavor to follow in those footsteps that never led them astray.

It was a privilege to meet again with my mother’s sisters and her brothers-in-law for one more time. And we were reminded again that nothing is more valuable than family….and a godly heritage.

April is my favorite month!

There’s no contest for me…April is my favorite month! It’s also my busiest month so perhaps there’s a correlation.  Every year in April we say “good-bye” to winter, cold temps, cabin fever, and the dead landscape. And we say “hello” to warmer temperatures, new life, flowers, and frenetic activity. As I look at my personal calendar for the month I’m overwhelmed with joy for what’s happened already and the anticipation for what’s coming!

Celebrating Resurrection Sunday earlier in April was such a wonderful way to begin the month. We focused on the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord when He purchased our salvation. During the week of Easter I spent time with all five of my children and three grandchildren, making it all the more precious than usual.

Moving on through April, I’m so excited that my new granddaughter, Harper Mae Zawko, will be dedicated to The Lord at our home church on Sunday, April 19. It’s an honor for us to give thanks to God for His gift of Harper to our family. We’re so grateful to accept the challenge of raising our girl, “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”   And it’s our great privilege to place her back into God’s hands for His guidance and direction for her little life and future.

April 20-23 I’ll be making my annual trip to the Illinois and Christian Ladies Retreat for a time of relaxation and spiritual refreshment. I’ve been part of this retreat for nearly 20 years. I have often been a featured speaker and for more than a decade I’ve been secretary-treasurer for the group. This year, I’m teaching a workshop in which I’ll share some of my exciting “It’s a Wonderful Life” insights with the ladies.

The last week of April is my absolute favorite week of the entire year! At my home church, First Pentecostal of London, KY, we have an annual Missions’ Conference. This three-day event is absolutely life changing! We usually host around 30 resident foreign missionaries, home missionaries, and organizations during this week. The inspiration this event brings to my life can’t be exaggerated. The effect on those who attend–is immeasurable. In addition to the uplifting services and fellowship, I’m also honored to host several guests in my home. This year, I’ll have a single missionary lady, two of my nieces, and several Bible college students staying with me.

I’ve neglected to mention one Red Letter Day in April…Tax Day is on April 15th. This year, for the first time in 35 years, I don’t have a child in my home to claim. Alas, all my children are grown and no longer at home. So it’ll be the first time that I actually have to pay a large additional federal tax. I was upset about this at first but then I began thinking of all the reasons I have to be grateful for my taxes. When I wrote out the check I reminded myself of the blessings of living in America.

I thanked God that I live in freedom and privilege, I drive on good roads and highways, I have a police department for protection and a fire department in case of disaster. I have a beautiful public library (that I visit often) and my mail arrives every day. Although I don’t have any children in the public school system, many of my friends do and it’s great to know that ournation’s children are being educated. I’m honored to know that my tax dollars go to provide a military for the protection of our country and I’m especially honored that my own son-in-law serves in the US Army. So when I mail (what seems to me) a large check to the IRS, I’m feeling no rancor or anger toward my government. I’m feeling extreme gratefulness that I’m an American and I live in the most wonderful country in the world! I’m agreeable with giving back a little of my financial blessings to the country to which I owe so much.

So, yes, April is my favorite month…in every way.

 

My life is worth the living…just because He lives

Sunday we celebrated the most important commemorative day of Christianity, Easter, which I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday. Although the incarnation of Christ was the beginning of the miracle of our salvation and reconciliation of man to God, the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus actually “sealed the deal”! He took our sins upon Himself and died in our place (as if He was a sinner) but then defeated sin and death when He miraculously was raised from the dead on the third day.

Personally, I rejoice on Easter because I have experienced the new life given by Christ. But that’s not my only source of joy on this Easter Sunday, 2015.  This year I saw all five of my children on Easter weekend, although one son and his wife that just had a new baby couldn’t come home for Sunday worship. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful time with family. My greatest joy in life has been in the gift of my children…and now my grandchildren.

Twenty years ago, when I became a single parent, I became so burdened and worried that my children would suffer as a result of my divorce and the lack of a present father in our home. But as I cried out to the Lord for an answer, He assured me that I was not to fear, that my children would “come forth shining as gold” just like Job did after he was tested. We have all been through some difficult times in these past twenty years, but it’s true that after all this time, my children really do shine like gold! Just in the past two years, my family circle is complete and every one of my children has made a personal commitment to Christ. So although we’ve always been a close family, we are closer now as part of the Family of God.

As I celebrate the Risen Savior, I also celebrate the meaningful, victorious, life He has given me and the future He has promised me. Every day He allows me to continue this life is a gift from above. “Because I know He holds my future, my life is worth the living, just because He lives!”

New Life…On the First Day of Spring!

My life has been so busy for the past couple of weeks, and I’ve neglected to post some wonderful news! Just over a week ago, while I was on my way to North Carolina to visit my daughter, I received word that my daughter-in-law was on her way to the hospital to give birth to my new granddaughter! So I swiftly turned my car around and headed back west toward Kentucky! Harper Mae Zawko was born on March 20 (the first day of our long awaited SPRING!) to her daddy, Daniel, and mommy, Taryn, in Lexington, Kentucky. She joins her wonderful siblings, Ella and Danny! Although she was three weeks ahead of her due date, she was a good size: 6 pounds and 10 ounces. These three are my only grandchildren, but I expect my other kids will be starting families soon….the Zawko Gang is a competitive bunch!

As I held my new granddaughter for the first time, there were so many thoughts running through my mind. Probably one of the most important was the truth of the amazing potential that one human life can possess! This baby girl already has a plan and purpose that God has written for her. It’s our job as parents and grandparents to nurture and grow the potential that God has placed within her. We actively do this by the godly choices and decisions we make when she’s small, and by pushing and prodding her toward the correct pathways of life, as she gets older.

Another thought: God’s truths and principles are passed from generation to generation. As I held this precious baby, my mind automatically went back to 33 years ago, when I held her daddy when he was born. The love and training that I poured into Daniel when he was an irresistible infant, a busy toddler, a wild-child, and an irrepressible teenager helped him become the man that he is now. Daniel is a good parent because he was loved and encouraged through his developmental years. But he’s also made some terrific choices on his own….some of which he never saw lived out, but he knows are needed in this age we in which we live.

So I’m rejoicing in this new addition to our family! And it’s such a nice touch to welcome her to our world for the first day of spring, 2015! It’s my hope that all my children will be together soon to welcome our new little girl into the Zawko Gang! As my five children live in four different states, it’s a pretty big undertaking for all of them to get together but we’re making this a priority. Hold your loved ones close, friends, while you have the opportunity. There’s nothing, short of Heaven, that even comes close to the treasure of Family.