The Blood that Runs Through These Veins ~ Brave Strong Women

The Prairie Is My Garden by Harvey Dunn

Grandmother on father's side died in her early 40's. But the years she gave her family were strong years. She had soft black hair and her skin was gentle and pale. A small smile hid on the corner of her lips. They say she looked like me. She was a helpmeet to her husband on their rural prairie homestead. She raised five wild boys on that rugged parcel of land. She was a strong woman, she was a tender woman. She lived through hard times but was quietly brave through every single one of them.

Grandmother on mother's side passed away at a ripe old age. Her hair was white like frosting. Her eyes were determined and blue. She married a man who was studying to become a doctor. He changed his mind, bought a small piece of property and decided to raise poultry. Though she was a city girl, she supported him. Even when that small piece of land had nothing but a garage in which to live. She made that into a home with her young family until they were finally able to build one. This took years for nothing was financed. Every penny was saved, every dollar was earned. But they built a strong legacy for themselves, they built a hard working family.

When I begin to feel weary and weak in this earthly journey, I remember that I share their blood. It is brave and strong like the many believing women before them. It runs through these veins every day. And it is not just any blood, but one that has been washed in His blood, giving it endurance, perseverance and everlasting life. It enabled them just as it enables ALL OF US today to "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth" (Philippians 4:13).

I pray that I will pass this same sturdy legacy to my children and my grandchildren. It is a legacy of love, but not just any love, it is His perfect love and what we are able to accomplish because of it.

"Watch, stand fast in the faith,
be brave, be strong."

~ 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

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