The Blueprint

It’s Sunday, September 2^nd.  I am Lance Pisowicz and this is Lance’s Weekly Walk!  At long last I am back on my Sunday blog.  I apologize that I haven’t been able to do any blogs these past few weeks.  Before we begin I have a couple of reminders for you.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to follow me at:  www.twitter.com/lancejponline.  My Facebook page is also getting more attention as several of you have liked me there.  You can find it at:  www.facebook.com/lancepisowicz.  Also a reminder for you to check out Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online).  From there you can access my Facebook and Twitter page, my Youtube channel, and everything to do with my blogs.  You can also fill out a prayer request there by clicking on the “Media” tab at the top of your page.  One last reminder for today and it’s a special one for this summer.  If you haven’t heard about the Ultimate Patriot competition and sweepstakes I encourage you to visit www.wix.com/lancejp/patriot for more details.  There is a lot of great features and information about the event waiting for you there.  I hope you enjoy Lance’s Weekly Walk and everything there for you at Lance Pisowicz Online.

There were many important news stories last week that I would love to cover, but since this is my Sunday blog I try to look past partisan issues and keep the focus on Christ.  I will say this though.  On Friday evening I went and saw 2016:  Obama’s America and would like to give the writers, directors, and producers a shout-out.  It was a very well done documentary, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has not seen it yet.

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to celebrate not only my youngest brother’s 11^th birthday but also share the special day with my grandmother and her twin sister’s 82^nd birthday.  My grandmother’s twin is from Tennessee but came up for the weekend to spend this special time with us all.  There was even an official announcement made to celebrate at Spring Mill State Park (in Mitchell, Indiana) next year for their 83^rd, Lord willing.  We did the same thing when my grandma and grand aunt turned 80, two years ago.  My grandmother’s real birthday is not until Wednesday, but it was a special day nonetheless.  To think through the struggles and triumphs in her life, and yet praising God regardless of her circumstances can inspire us all.

My grandmother was born on September 5, 1930, just over ten months after the Stock Market Crash.  At the time my great-grandmother had just one son.  The surprise of twins must have been bittersweet.  How blessed she must have felt to be blessed with twin daughters, but now there was not just one more mouth to feed but two.

The Great Depression did not hold my great-grandparents back.  They went on to have six more children, and although my great-grandfather changed jobs often prior to World War II, the family managed better than most people at the time.  My great-grandmother took care of the home and her eight children.  She never stopped working her entire life.  She was what you’d call a workaholic, something my grandmother undoubtedly inherited.

Being one of the older children in the family meant that greater responsibilities were expected of my grandmother.  She was tasked with numerous chores that ranged from housework, to farm work (when the family lived on a farm), to caring for her younger siblings.  Not only did this help her family get by during her childhood, it also prepared her for the future.

My grandmother married my grandfather in January of 1951 after my grandfather returned from serving in Korea.  They had their first daughter in 1951.  They would have another six children (including twin boys who passed away in their infancy) concluding with my mother.  Even through the trials and tribulations of losing two of their sons before they truly got to know them, my grandparents remained strong in their faith.

God has blessed my grandmother with fifteen grandchildren and over sixteen great-grandchildren (with more certain to be on the way in the coming years).  Through my family’s modest roots individuals have succeeded in the fields of business, law, education, and most importantly their faith by following the blueprint left by my grandmother.

Her values of hard work, kindness, patience, perseverance, and faith in God have been echoed in my parents, aunts, uncle, cousins, and siblings.  I am no exception.   It just goes to show that having good parents will not only help a child but also help guide one’s descendants for many years to come.

Here’s a verse that I feel describes what my grandmother has followed since day one:  “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” - Proverbs 22:6

No matter what struggles have occurred in my grandmother’s life she has never allowed it to affect her trust in God.  I can only hope my grandchildren can say the same about me, but Lord willing they will.  As I finish high school, go off to college, and start my life in the outside world that’s just what I’ll do.  Follow grandma’s blueprint.

Thank you for joining me again today.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I invite you to join me on Lance Pisowicz Online (www.wix.com/lancejp/online). Thanks again. God bless you and have a great week!