Little Old Gray Haired Praying Ladies

Rt.  Alice Skaggs, Vera Weaver, Maud Bratt,

Opal Mace, Ferrie Pell, and Lucy Swim.

 

I think human nature tends to think you have to be a mover and shaker or a person of high profile or means to be a person of influence.  However, that's not the case in my life.  The greatest influences in my life have been people with whom the world in general will never know.  People who could be described as salt-of-the-earth, hardworking, kind hearted rural folks including some little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies.

The small band of little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies in the picture above were part of the Ladies Aid at Ebenezer Church.  The Ladies Aid was formed during the Civil War to make bandages and other necessities for the soldiers.  At some point, the ladies switched over to making handmade quilts.  As I was growing up, my grandma, Ferrie Pell, was a faithful member. 

Every Sunday, Grandma (in the above picture, 2nd from the right in the red shoes) would pull herself up out of her seat using the back of the pew in front of her to stand and announce, "The Ladies Aid will meet at 10:00 on Thursday.  Bring a covered dish for a pitch-in meal."  It seemed the sermon couldn't begin until that announcement was made.  It was as much a part of the service as passing the offering plate.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies taught faithfulness to one another by consistently and faithfully meeting together for fellowship and work.

Every summer, the church held a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the kids in the church and the community.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies of the Ladies Aid were in charge of snacks.  The snacks consisted of watered down Kool-Aid, stale cheese puffs, and homemade cookies.  Just the fact that these stereotypical grandmas were in the building serving food brought comfort and security to those kids who were thrown into a strange place with strange people.  The little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies taught how to serve others with what you have and how kindness brings comfort.

Lucy Swim, in purple, in the photo below, was the church's song leader.  Lucy was not known for her beautiful voice.  As a kid, I often laughed when her voice squeaked and cracked when the notes were too high.  As an adult, I have come to appreciate Lucy's willingness to praise God with her heart, soul, and mind even if she didn't have talent by the world's standard to accompany the offering. 

As a little-old-gray-haired-praying lady, my Grandma Pell was often asked to give one of the congregational prayers during the church service.  Grandma would once again grab the back of the pew in front of her, pull herself up, bow her head, and talk with her Maker.  Every time Grandma prayed, she would cry.  I asked my mom one time about this.  Mom said it was because Grandma was awed to be speaking to the Holy God.  I am glad my little-old-gray-haired-praying lady grandma taught me that although God is holy and worthy of awe we are also able to come to him in humble submission and be used even if the world thinks we are insignificant.

Praise God for little-old-gray-haired-praying ladies.  May everyone be blessed by knowing at least one.