Resurrection and Transformation!
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he
dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe
this?” *
While thinking about Easter,
Resurrection Day, the words that Jesus spoke to his friend Martha upon the
death of her brother came to mind. His statement must have surprised or even
shocked her: “I am the resurrection and the life.” They were standing at her
brother’s tomb. What did Jesus mean?
Those words of hope and promise
were printed on a card that I bought for my grandma just before Easter in
April, 1974. Living and working in Anaheim, I hadn’t planned on going home for
Easter. A visit to the family in Bakersfield during the summer would work
better with my teaching schedule. I happened to notice the card while shopping
one day and felt compelled to send it to grandma, who was living at our house.
Grandma Turner, my dad’s mother,
and I had a special relationship. She was someone to whom I could talk any
time, who listened, was loving, and always supportive. Grandma married young,
before finishing high school, and became a beautician. Eventually, she became a
single parent of two young boys, struggling to support them by working in her
beauty shop located in one room of their small home in Oakland, California.
Later, after my dad and his brother
had grown and moved out of the house, Grandma Turner continued to support
herself through the beauty shop. Although she didn’t have much, she was always
very generous and lavished gifts on her family…the two sons, their wives, and
between them, ten grandkids.
When we all got together at her
home for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, there was hardly
room to turn around. She never complained about all the noise and activity,
even though sometimes clients came in for a perm or a haircut while we were
romping in the main part of the house.
The years passed and although
Grandma was at the age where retirement might be considered, she was determined
to stay in her own home and continue working. Then, something unforeseen
happened. I remember hearing mom and dad talk about it… “Grandma’s had a
stroke. Not a big one though. She is going to be okay.” The stroke was on her
right side, and affected her right hand.
Without the use of her right hand,
she could no longer work. Plans had to be formulated in a hurry. It was decided
that she move from Oakland to Bakersfield where she could live with my family. In
1967, Grandma Turner packed up her clothes and a few items, and made the move
to Bakersfield.
While I was at college, Grandma was
adjusting to living with our family. She always went shopping with mom,
insisting on buying her own items and sometimes offering to help mom out too.
When the family attended church on Sunday mornings, Grandma went along, even
though she had no church background or affiliation.
She and I had many good
conversations about the Bible. Even though she couldn’t understand how God
could forgive a person who had led a wicked life, but who confessed his sins
and put his faith in Jesus Christ, she eventually gave her heart to the Lord, a
life-changing decision.
Amazingly, the use of her right
hand returned. However, by that time, returning to Oakland was not an option;
so, she stayed on with my folks. When I came home periodically to visit, I
could see changes taking place in her personality. She was more at peace,
content and had even stopped a lifelong habit of smoking at a Doctor’s
recommendation.
Five days after the celebration of Easter,
1974, I got a call from my parents that Grandma had passed away from an
aneurism. I was sorry that I didn’t get to say good-bye. Did she receive my
card? I wondered.
Driving north over the Grapevine,
the weather outdoors matched my mood—gloomy and drizzling! But the rain clouds
parted as I reached the Tejon pass and a beautiful rainbow arched over the
freeway. I could almost hear the angels singing, reminding me that Grandma was
home in heaven, just as Jesus had promised. She was alive!
Now we know the meaning of Jesus’s
words to Martha. He is alive! And with Him we will live! Happy Easter!
*John 11:25-26 NIV
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