I saw you just the other day. Busy working in your big old house—preparing food, loving life, showing genuine concern for those around you.
I saw you just the other day—on your birthday, such a special one. Oh how we loved hearing your precious gift of laughter! Such a sweet lady. We were honored to be near you.
I saw you just the other day— greeting me at the door, hugging me so warmly. Only grandmothers can hug like that. I noticed your walk was a bit slower, and you were growing older; yet that lovely sparkle still shone in your eyes.
I saw you just the other day, at Christmas. Your face alight with your children all around you. Those times always made you the happiest—yet you werealways full of the joy of the Lord.
I saw you just the other day; weak, tired, weary of suffering. I will never forget your arm slowly reaching around my shoulder. That little hug spoke more than words ever could. You are the closest I’ve ever come to an angel.
How sweetly those days have flown into years. How quickly those years have passed by me. Though now your home is with our wonderful Savior—You will always live in the seeds you have planted in my heart!
O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8
She could neither read nor write, but that didn’t stop Grandma Biggs from singing praises to the Lord.
Picture a little girl just about to enter Grandma’s kitchen for a drink of water. The sound of beautiful singing slows her footsteps. Peaking around the corner, a curious scene unfolds.
Grandma is all alone in her kitchen. Arms raised, feet dancing, and face aglow as she lifts her voice and sings a beautiful melodic song.
I was that little girl. A little bit afraid and way too young to understand what I was seeing. Yet I somehow knew this was a sacred moment and I was not to interrupt. My grandmother was standing on Holy Ground.
That precious memory still warms my heart today as I wonder how my grandmother would react had she been living during the coronavirus pandemic.
Would she be shut up to fear or shut in to faith? Would she whine and complain? Would she worry or worship?
I’ve no doubt what Grandma would do. Day by day she would be shut in to faith, fully trusting, and leaning on the Sovereign Lord who is in full control.
Chooseing not to whine, worry or complain, she would lift her hands in worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And as in all the hard times of her life, she would pray this thing through and receive the peace of God that passes all understanding.
And you better believe Grandma would be in her kitchen, preparing delicious meals, whipping up those biscuits, and wearing a smile that was a foretaste of heaven.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love the Lord. For those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Oh my dove in the cleft of the Rock…Song of Songs 2:14
The Bride of Christ is God’s Dove, Sheltered in the safety Of the cleft of the Rock. It may be a secret place, yet directed by Him.
It may be a steep place, yet known by Him. It may be a deep valley, Yet He promised never to leave your side.
May you hear the voice of the Lord, calling you from distracting voices, who vy for your attention. May you hear Him sing over you with the voice of the Beloved.
May the Dove of His Presence strengthen and refresh as you stay sheltered in the safety of the Cleft of the Rock.
Everyone in Atmore, Alabama knew Naomi Biggs was one of the best cooks around. The large boarding house she owned and operated for many years was a revolving door to everyone, especially when she opened her dining room on week days for folks from local and surrounding communities.
The old saying the “way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, could be true of many of us; especially when the food is dished out with the kind of love our Grandmother showed. In my mind’s eye I can still see this joyful lady greeting her noon guests as if they were family. To Grandma Naomi, it was all-ways . . . all about family.
Some of the finest, and most delicious southern dishes a heart might desire filled her two long dining tables….And you could always help yourself to seconds. That is if there was anything left!
I remember how quickly Grandma could whip up a large batch of biscuits, bake to a golden brown, and serve them with a contagious laughter that sent your heart soaring.
Those biscuits were like thrown bread from heaven!
I remember watching Grandma take a cold biscuit, bore a hole in it and fill it with sorghum syrup. By the time it reached your reaching hands it was oozing pure sweetness! One taste and you were hooked for life.
Grandma was a church lady and loved Jesus, but was never preachy. Though she couldn’t read the Bible, she lived it. Truly her life bore the resemblance of the Savior…. And the fruit of his Spirit the Bible talks about.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23
Dear Father in heaven, how grateful we are for the godly grandmother you gave us. May the memories of her life continue to be a source of encouragement and hope for all those who knew her. Give us the faith to walk in the steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and live a life of love as grandma so faithfully modeled before us. May we too be found faithful! Amen.
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To be continued….
Dear friends and family, My sister Dorothy Jean and I are endeavoring to post a series about the life of our beloved Grandma Biggs. Jean has become quite the artist, both with water color and just recently sketching. She has been my constant encouragement and inspiration to publish some of the things I’ve written over the years. Thank you dear sister. To God be the Glory as our lives tell His Story!
Tell your children about it in the years to come, and letyour children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3
It’s that time of the year when memories of Christmas past warm our hearts as we recall those childhood days when going to Gramma’s house was part of our family tradition.
The following revised poem was written by my sister Cathy the day our beloved Grandmother Biggs left us and went to her home in heaven.
I saw you just the other day, on Christmas. Your face alight with joy at having your children all around you. I saw you busily working in your big old house; preparing food, loving life. Those times always made you the happiest, yet you were always full of the joy of the Lord. Oh how we loved hearing your precious gift of laughter. Such a sweet lady. We were honored to be near you. I saw you greeting me at the door, hugging me so warmly. Only grandmothers can hug like that.
How sweetly those days have flown into years. How quickly those years passed by me. Though now your home is in heaven with our wonderful Savior, on this earth you will always live in the seeds you have planted in my heart.
