Memories of a Godly Grandmother

My earliest recollection of my Grandmother Harrill goes back to about 1948. There was a picture of a guardian angel hovering over two little children crossing a treacherous body of water on a rickety bridge hanging high on the beadboard wall in her sitting room. She would gather me onto her lap and explain to me that we all have a guardian angel to watch over us. My little blue eyes were filled with wonder as I listened to her.

I remember the aroma of snuff on her breath as she told me about Jesus. I recently found out that in the late 1800s and early 1900s the picture I have attached became popular across the Appalachian area of North Carolina. That famous painting hung in every grandmothers’ home across the mountains and foothills, as it did in Grandmother Harrill’s home. My grandparents lived on a farm in a small community in Rutherford County, North Carolina…Caroleen, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Grandmother’s name was Mary Margaret Judith Susan Hannah Randall Harrill, and everyone either called her “Mag” or Maggie. She had a very strong impact on the lives of the people in her little church in Bostic, North Carolina…Concord Baptist Church. She loved the Lord with her whole heart and was not ashamed of it. She had a passion for lost souls and missions. When her church built their new educational building, they named it the “Margaret Harrill Memorial.” I am honored to be named after her…Margaret Carolyn. In my home today, I have many reminders of her…her kitchen table that my great-grandfather made, many crocheted pieces, a silver brooch, and many pictures of her. But my greatest treasures of all are the memories I have of her. My heart’s desire is that I can leave a legacy like she did.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18 when He was teaching His disciples the parable of the lost sheep, that we as believers have angels watching over us. Matthew 18:10…”Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Also in Psalm 34:7a we find these powerful words:  “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.”

As Christians, we not only have God the Father…we have Jesus our Intecessor, the Holy Spirit our Comforter, and angels all around us. Who could ask for anything more? We are blessed.