The Grandchild

Friday, September 23, 2011 | Written by Lenya Heitzig

Read: Ruth 4:13-22

Ruth 4:16 "Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him."

Related Readings:

Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 38:8; John 1:12; 

I'm named after two wonderful women in my family. My first name, Lenya, comes from my famous aunt, Lotte Lenya, a German vaudevillian actress. Her famous husband, Kurt Weill, wrote The Three Penny Opera and The Seven Deadly Sins to showcase her haunting voice and talents. I inherited my middle name from my grandmother, May Farley, who was of Scottish decent and temperament. She was a feisty, petite woman who was fiercely loyal to her family.

Grandparents are notoriously proud of their grandchildren, happy to tell you the latest accomplishments and show you the newest pictures at the slightest hint of interest. My granny was no exception to the rule. After she and my grandpa died, we discovered a scrapbook of memories chronicling the lives of their precious grandchildren. Several pages were dedicated to each grandchild. School pictures, wedding invitations, and newspaper clippings were carefully glued into the treasured keepsake. Even though Granny is gone, I carry on her family name. My best friends don't just call me Lenya; they call me Lenya May.

Naomi suffered much loss, but she remained extremely loyal to her family. She had done everything she could to preserve the family line and had waited a long time for a grandchild to carry on the family name. At long last God made her a proud grandmother. As I await the arrival of my first grandchild, I can look back over many generations and know that future generations will carry on the heritage of those past.

Reflections:

1. It was clear that Naomi treasured her grandson Obed. What ways have your grandparents shown they treasure you?

2. What spiritual truths will you pass on to your children, grandchildren, and/or nieces and nephews?

3. What hurts and disappointments have you experienced in your life? How has God used a child to bless you despite those rough situations?

Lenya Heitzig

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