Unconditionally Serving Grandma: It Never “Depends”

I’ve needed the important reminder of being a good servant as I’ve cared for my grandma over the past month. Looking after her has been challenging!

There are visits (y’all will think I’m crazy) when I make a beeline straight into her kitchen just moments after arriving and head right to the Lazy Susan cabinet, which she’s used as a pantry for years. I quickly crouch down, open the door, close my eyes, and let the longtime scent of spices mixed with baking products flood over me and it takes me back to happier days when I was just a little girl making sweet memories with my grandma in the kitchen.

Sometimes I just need reminded of who it is I’m serving.

…Still the same precious grandma just very dependent these days.There are instances where she ask me the same question seventeen plus times, days when she calls me four times in a row but she’s trying to phone my mom, and moments where she repeatedly tells me she’s just ready to go be with Jesus.

Side note: I don’t even think I’m being my typical exaggerated self with that last statement!!!

All of that (together) takes a toll on my “only” granddaughter heart. It’s hard to see someone I admire slip away, going from self-sufficient to considerably insufficient.

Recently (with perfect timing) our pastor’s sermon came from John 13 where Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, demonstrating the love in His faithful servant’s heart.

In Bible times footwashing was a lowly job household servants took up when guests arrived. By Jesus’ willingness to wash His disciples’ feet He showed a humble example of equality, not considering Himself above others.

Let’s set the tone by checking out Jesus’ words (to the disciples) in verses 13-16:

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Ahhhh what timely words given the condition of our nation…Amen?!

And verse 17 follows up by saying, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Reading those verses in context allows us to see that Jesus didn’t look at this seemingly unpleasant task as burdensome but rather as a defining teachable moment, filled with blessing.

Overall it was the idea of serving others without applicable conditions, and it still fully applies as an inspiring example to us today.

I want to passionately and actively live out Jesus’ heart-actions, every single time I show up at my grandma’s house.

I learned “Jesus” from my grandma as a child and now I want to do my best to show her “Jesus” right back! Even if it means I’m a 36 year old hauling Depends around in my grocery cart or adding yet another package of toilet paper to her overwhelming stash in the bathroom’s linen closet…or emptying the trash can when it’s not even half full because she’s obsessive over it.

Serving my grandma is an opportunity to echo Jesus’ ways — and staying in His word, reading stories such as John 13, motivates me to want to serve exceedingly and abundantly well, bringing glory to Him all the while!

…This afternoon I’ll head over to my grandma’s to take her to another doctor’s appointment; but today I’m just gonna happen to bring along a foot bath and spa products as well…

CHALLENGE: Take time to find someone to serve as you go about your weekend, surely blessing will be in the midst…and then share your ‘serving story’ with me in the blog’s comment area!!

Take care friends!❤️

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

23 thoughts on “Unconditionally Serving Grandma: It Never “Depends””

  2. This was a reminder of when I had to care for my mum, it was hardwork but the memories of what she did for me kept me over the years soothed the stress away. God bless you and your grandmother my sister.

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  3. Oh, Alicia. Servanthood is a sweet spot in the spice of our faith. Not only are you doing what you’re being called to do, but you will be rewarded. Take a look at your kids. Imagine which one will be more likely to take up that servant mantle to take care of you someday. You are their example. Lovely to read about. And since I am a fan of yours, I’m not surprised one bit. God’s grip. – Alsn

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    1. Thank you that makes me smile Alan!! I keep reminding myself that my kids are watching so even on days where it seems inconvenient I have to smile and remind myself of scripture and happier memories so I can set a positive example!!
      This grandma is my dad’s mom (he passed away when I was 17) so in hindsight I do feel like it’s an extra special blessing to be filling the spot that he would’ve been in❤️

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  5. It’s a lovely thing you’re doing and although it is heartbreaking it is going to be such a wonderful thing to remember and look back on over the years. What a blessing to her to have you to watch out for

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  6. Such a beautiful post! I definitely understand your relationship with your grandmother. And the scents! There is a certain clean / fabric softener type smell that reminds me of my grandmother’s home. I love the message here. May we have a servant’s heart as we serve others and display the love of Jesus ❤️✝️

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    1. Yes definitely!! I’m glad there’s someone else who understands the “scent”thing😍😂 Those certain scents are seriously like a breath of fresh air for me yet filled with timeless memories ❤️

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  9. This just resonated with my entire being. There are things God has asked me to do and combine doing over time, and until just now, I never thought of myself in a servant’s role until just now. I am serving under my master. I am doing what God asked me to do.

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  10. I don’t think you’re crazy for sniffing the cabinet. When I was little I would stay with my grandparents most weekends. On Saturday mornings I would sit in the bathroom with her while she got ready to “go to town”. I would always open her jar of Dippity Do and smell it. After she passed away I went straight into her bathroom and sniffed that Dippity Do like it would bring her back. And it did! At least it brought back all the memories of those fun mornings getting ready to “go to town.”
    It’s wonderful that you are taking care of your grandma. I never thought of taking care of someone as serving someone as echoing Jesus, but you’re exactly right! Love this!!

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    1. Ahhh I love that, your comment made me smile as I could just imagine a little girl completely oblivious to the ugly world outside and yet totally head over heels in the moment, happily and excitedly spending time with grandma..love that dippity do story!❤️ thanks for sharing!

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  11. Alicia this is so precious!!!! I love this sweet reminder of memories gone by! Have I ever mentioned Ed I’m a caregiver for my 88 year old Aunt. So many times she has begged to go to heaven too. Happily for me/sadly for her, she is in relatively good health for her age. Which makes her mad, very very mad and bitter. But. I serve because it’s the gift God gave me and He wants me to share it. Like it or not, there is such joy when we share something Jesus gave us. I love that!

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    1. I love that Jesus gave us serving as a gift and that he wants us to share it…Sometimes it’s so challenging but I feel like every time I choose to do the next right action it gets easier and easier and my heart follows the “right choose action”…I didn’t know you were helping care for your aunt but it is encouraging to know that someone else understands!!❤️

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  12. I do, I do. I remind myself constantly that it’s fear that makes her misbehave sometimes along with frustration that the mind is willing but the body won’t always cooperate. My husband puts it this way, “Your Aunt’s mind is constantly writing checks her body can’t cash. Instead of being grateful others will happily cash the checks for her she just gets mad. Too bad for her that she won’t allow herself to have joy from the blessing.” Sometimes she does and it’s a sweet balm to my heart. Bless you for sweetly serving your Grandma. I loved your pictures too.

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    1. Thank you! That really makes sense!! Today was a rough day for my grandma, she was trying to remember today’s schedule and it just wasn’t sticking with her…like deep down she knows that her memory is off so she was getting frustrated…it was just sad.
      We, being in our right state of mind, get to love these ladies like Jesus does and it gives us a chance to soften our hearts with kindness and gentleness.

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