Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Mothers (05/02/05)
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TITLE: A Mother's Legacy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dixie Phillips
05/05/05 -
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Edward hissed back, “Addie, you best get on down to your brother's house, and get us some more brew. We're low on cash, and if we could do some bootlegging, it might help get us caught up for awhile.”
Ada's brother lived a good eight hours away in Metropolis, Illinois. Every few months Ada and her daughter, Nettie, would take a trip to load up on some Kentucky white lightening. They would bring some home and sell most of it to their kinfolks, who were slaves to whiskey, too, but this trip God had something else planned for forty-five-year-old Ada, something that would change her life forever.
“Mel, it's so good to see you!” Ada cooed as she hugged her older brother.
“Ada!” Mel exclaimed, “So much has happened to my family since we last saw you.”
“You got any good whiskey?” Ada asked. “I'm spitting cotton. Let's sit down and have a stiff drink and then you can tell me all about it.”
“Addie, I don't drink any more. You'll find no whiskey in our house! I've met Jesus!”
Ada's eyes bulged. “Mel, are you trying to tell me that you done got religion?”
Mel lovingly placed his hand on his baby sister's shoulder. “No, Addie! I met Jesus, and tonight we're having revival meetings at our church. Oh, Addie, you've just got to come. I have found what we've been searching for.”
“Church? You want me to go to church?” Ada blurted out, “I ain’t never been to church in my life!”
Nettie butted in. “Ma and me are going to Kentucky tonight. We've got some important business to tend to. Don't we, Ma?”
Mel's eyes met Ada's.
“Well, now Nettie, I guess going to one church meeting ain't gonna kill us, Ada continued, “What time should we be ready?”
“7:00 sharp!” Mel answered and then hurried to clean up for the meeting.
*****
When they arrived for the service, Ada saw to it that they sat on the back pew. The singing began.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
Ada sat mesmerized by what she saw and felt. Just when she thought it couldn't get any better an elderly minister stood behind the pulpit and began to preach.
Ada had flashbacks of many of the sins she had committed. She thought of her two daughters and how alcohol had robbed them of having a decent mother.
The pastor invited all who wanted their sins forgiven to come forward and kneel at the altar. Ada stood to her feet and walked down the aisle. The minister met her at the front of the church and said, “Just pray & ask God to forgive you of your sins.”
Ada wailed, “Pray! Preacher, I've never prayed in my life!”
Tears poured from Ada's eyes as she called out to God for the first time in her life, “Lord, make me worthy to be called mother.” she whimpered.
Ada stayed at that altar for several hours as the minister and others shared with her about forgiveness of sins and her New Life in Christ! She rose to her feet with “old things passed away and all things became new!”
The trip to Kentucky was canceled. Ada never touched another drop of liquor the rest of her days. She lived to be ninety-two years old and shared what Jesus had done for her with anyone who would listen. You see... Ada Stillion was my great-grandmother. Her decision to follow Christ has impacted five generations. My Great-grandmother's decision to live for the Lord has had a domino affect on our family. She could have left us a legacy of alcoholism and abuse, but JESUS passed by and instead she left us a legacy of God's redeeming grace. God answered her prayer and made her worthy to be called Mother. In fact, He made her a spiritual mother of many.
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Blessings, Cheri