The Road To Godly Character

by | Sep 29, 2010 | Fiction Book Reviews | 10 comments

I write this post today in honor of my grandmother, a person who has been such a positive influence in my life. An inspiration – not only in her perseverance, kindness, and grace, but also with her memories. Her memories have set the stage for so many of my stories, the people from her past have forged heroes and heroines that will someday find their ways from my thoughts onto the pages of a story.

So this morning, as I was driving my kids to school, we had a discussion about Godly character:

  1. What it looks like
  2. How to get it

And my granny came to mind. You see, for the past few months, she’s been pretty sick, and yet her beautiful personality has continued to shine through. She’d been unable to eat, weak, and slowly becoming weaker – but she’s continued to joke, tease, and even when she lost the ability to speak, her beautiful smile is evident.

Granny was raised by an alcoholic who didn’t attend church, but granny became a Christian at a tent revival when she was sixteen years old. Years later, when the youngest of her six was three years old, her husband died of cancer – leaving her to raise 6 chlidren by herself.

Her life has been a constant example of character building – and God’s guidance. It reminds me of this verse.

Romans 5:3-5

Not only so, but we[a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 So – as I think of my granny, where she is and where she’s going someday, I do feel hope. The hope I’ve seen in her eyes ever since I can remember. Hope in the goodness of the Lord. His faithfulness. And his promises.

Writing Note:

How do you build your character’s character from page one to the end? Suffering (Conflict), Perseverance (motivation), equals character.

10 Comments

  1. Sherrinda

    Oh Pepper, what a beautiful post. Your granny is beautiful! What a treasure and blessing she is to you and your family. God is good!

    Reply
  2. AimeeLS

    Pepper,

    I’m so encouraged by your blog! I’ve only started following recently, but feel like you read my heart and put it into much more graceful words than I could manage.

    God bless you and your Grandma – who sounds VERY much like mine. She passed away in May. I look forward to seeing both of them when it’s my turn.

    God bless,

    Aimee

    Reply
  3. Casey

    Thank you for sharing Pepper. Your Granny sounds like a lovely woman and means so very much to you.

    Reply
    • pepper

      Case & Sherrinda,
      You two are wonderful.
      Thank you

      Reply
  4. Julie Lessman

    Aw, Pepper, she is SO beautiful — very young looking and very sweet!! What a blessing to have the relationship you have with her!! And I’m saying one right now that God strengthens her body and allows her to sow into your life for a long time to come.

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
    • pepper

      Thanks, Jules.
      It’s so tough to know she’s basically ‘starving to death’. Oh my goodness, I’m praying for a miracle. I know God does those, and my Granny believes Him for it.
      She portrays Jesus more than anyone I’ve ever known, and even in this moment, God is using her for His glory.

      Thanks for your prayers.

      Reply
  5. cate tuten

    Pepper, I haven’t commented in a long time it seems! But, I’m so glad I read this post. Your grandmother IS beautiful and you are so blessed to have her!! I pray God will heal her body and give her more time on this earth with all of you…..Blessings, Cate

    Reply
    • pepper

      CATE!!!!
      So good to hear from you.
      Thanks for your prayers and sweet note.
      God is good – ALL the time, even in this.

      Reply
  6. Sara Richardson

    Hi Pepper, what a beautiful story about your grandmother! I’m so thankful for the people in my life who have left a legacy of faith. I’ll join in praying for a miracle! I love your blog!
    Blessings,
    Sara

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Sara,
      Thank you. So good to spend time with you at ACFW. You are a sweetie. God does bless us with people who make lasting impressions, doesn’t he? On our hearts and our faith.

      Reply

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