Marcelene May Lanning. A woman many knew as a friend, some of us as grandma, and four of you as mom. I had the privilege of knowing her as my grandma. So many memories…(lightning bugs, family meals/cookouts with all the fixings (meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, cookies, fudge.), trips to Florida, the mall, hair salon) and so many more! As I thought and listened and the family discussed all of these – two things became very evident about Grandma Marcy.

  • Grandma’s hospitality…her entire life she cared for others. As a mother of 4, a coworker at NCR, serving at church, and grandmothering all us grandkids…
  • Grandma’s heart…she had a love for lots. She saw the world through a big heart. She noticed and was amazed at little things as if something larger was going on.

Both of those characteristics and more may be why Grandma Marcy reminds me of 2 women, who when combined show us the motivation and reason for Grandma’s hospitality and heart…MARTHA & MARY!

Martha’s Hospitality (Luke 10:38-40) – Martha saw Jesus coming and welcomed him and all his entourage. She began to do all that needed to be done to serve and show hospitality to those entering her house. Martha was sacrificially compassionate toward them. Doing many things to take care of those who had come into her life and area of influence. Just like Marcy…who cared for people even in her family growing up. Grandma reflected Martha’s hospitality everywhere she went. As a mom, she cared for her kids excellently. Or a co-worker loving her other co-workers. As Grandma, she ensured we were cared for. She was like our second mom.

Mary’s Heart (Luke 10:39-42) – While Martha showed hospitality and service to sacrificial ends, Mary’s heart sat in wonder. She rested in awe of someone. Martha was the whirlwind, getting things done, setting things up, ensuring things went right. Being hospitable at all times. But Mary’s heart was adoring. While there was a crowd in her house, people all over, and things needed to be done, Mary sat in awe of one of the guests. Her heart was stuck on a central figure in the room. Grandma while hospitable and serving others like Martha avoided the cynicism and bitterness. The way Marcy did this was because her heart was adoring someone else. Every person she hosted and cared for she saw something more. Her heart was adoring someone greater. And you see Martha eventually came to love and recognize this person as well.

The One who had Martha & Mary’s Heart (John 11:20-21, 25-26) – In a later scene in Martha and Mary’s life we see them again. Their beloved brother Lazarus had died. Mary and Martha are mourning. Others are gathering to mourn with them. In typical fashion, Martha runs out to meet Jesus, but this time is different. Martha doesn’t go to show hospitality to Jesus. This time Martha questions Jesus; “If you had been here “Lazarus would not have died”. Martha’s hospitality had run out…she was upset and unsure in a difficult time. This may be where some of us are now…wondering where God was in Grandma’s death, etc. But this is where Martha hears words we need to hear today as well…

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Jesus

While Grandma was hospitable. She served and cared for others – that is NOT what gave her hope for this day. It is not what she would say should give us hope this day. No! It is not Marcy’s hospitality that gives us hope, but Marcy’s adoration for someone else. The One who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” The same person Martha heard here…The same message Martha heard, Grandma recognized when she was younger. She was in awe of the One who could raise the dead to life. She was in adoration of the One who is the resurrection and the life. She was in wonder of the One who promises life to all who would believe in Him.

That is why we can say today Marcelene May Lanning still lives today though she has died. Grandma believed Jesus is the resurrection and the life. She came to this recognition when she was younger and we all heard about it (probably multiple times). She knew that left to her own works, as hospitable and caring and good as those works were, they would never be enough to gain eternal life. Grandma’s hospitality was only eclipsed by her heart for Jesus. And because she believed in Him to save her from her sins and not her own works, today Marcy lives. And you and I can as well.

Hope can be found in suffering. Rejoicing can take place while mourning. Life can be found after death. If we believe…That is the question Jesus leaves us with. The question Grandma would want to leave us with…Do YOU believe this?

Miss you, Grandma. But rejoicing in excited anticipation for when we meet again!