Sunday Psalms & Stories - God's good plan for your life.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

  his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story -

  those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.

                                         Psalm 107:1-2

This picture hangs in a prominent location in my house.

It's a picture of my great-grandma Edna, whom I've written about a few times on this blog. At first glance, it appears that three gentle Victorian ladies are relaxing under the shade of an oak tree.

        But it's not.

                 It's a photo of resistance.

Edna was sent to an orphanage when she was nine because her mother was destitute. I can't imagine how devastating it must have been for them. In short order, several adoptions were arranged by a man who put Edna and other children on a train. Once she arrived at her destination, she was met by her new parents, Ambrose and Minerva.

Her new mother took her in, changed her name and put her to work on their farm. She was a strict disciplinarian and even chose what Edna wore until she was 21-years old. Edna was their only child and Minerva didn't intend for her to marry anyone. Her plan was that she'd remain a spinster and stay on the farm.

But Edna had other plans. She'd fallen in love with a local farmer, my great-grandpa Olie, and they defied her mother's wishes. Edna was quite a woman, and that was her bridal photo. If you look closely, you'll see her "bouquet" is several oak leaves. The oak is a symbol of strength and courage.

I'm thankful she was strong and followed the plans God had for her, otherwise I never would have gotten to wear this super sweater!

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22