Grandma - You DO Make a Significant Difference!

I wrote a book, the DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith  (available at this link) for grandparents (and parents) and in one chapter I share some of the history of Fanny Crosby - today I'm sharing a bit of it with you. 

When Fanny was six months old, her dad died - she was raised by her mother and her grandmother. At the age of three she was officially diagnosed with permanent blindness. Her grandmother, Eunice Crosby, taught her about God and His Word - she told her she could trust God and all they had, good and bad, came through His hand to them.

When Fanny was ten her grandmother helped her memorize five chapters of the Bible each week. Since Fanny could not see to read, this meant her grandmother had to read and, sentence by sentence, help Fanny with this memorization.

By the time Fanny was 15 she had memorized the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), large portions of Psalms, all of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - yes, memorized all of these by the age of 15!

Fanny went on to write almost 9000 hymns in her lifetime - many you still sing in your church, such as - Blessed Assurance, Tell Me the Story of Jesus and To God Be the Glory. Fanny sold more than 100 million books with her songs in them, but donated the money from the sales to help the poor. She said her goal was to see a million people brought to God because of the words of her songs.

It is entirely possible without the influence of Eunice Crosby, there would be no songs by Fanny Crosby which fill our hymnals. It is entirely possible without the influence of Eunice Crosby, millions of people would not have been reached, encouraged and challenged by the solid lyrics of the songs Fanny Crosby wrote. Eunice Crosby made a significant difference in the life of Fanny Crosby.

Today I want to encourage you with the truth - if you are a grandma what you say and do with your grandchildren makes a huge difference in their lives. Fanny said her grandma was, “the most significant influence in her childhood” and you are at least one of the most significant influences in your grandchildren's lives as well.

You matter!