I want to share the story of a woman who is a shining example of Christ and His long-suffering attitude toward us. Her name is Viola Christie and she is the grandmother of Dianne, my deceased wife. And even though long passed away she lives in my heart as a prayer warrior who persisted in lifting both Dianne and myself in prayer daily. I count her as a large part of why I am a follower of Jesus today. I think a brief history of her life will give you all an idea of why I write about her when I am sharing my thoughts on this Fruit of the Spirit, longsuffering.
Viola was the ninth of ten children born to John Wesley and Sarah Craig. Her family was one that was in turmoil, a father who may have had sexual issues that were so severe that her mother took the two youngest daughters including Viola away to live with an older sister. Growing up from that point in a mining town and working in the restaurant owned by her sister, Viola saw a lot of the world’s evil on display. This was tempered by her mother’s faith. She had been baptized into the newly formed Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grants Pass, Oregon.
As Viola grew she became more involved in the church, which would be a precursor of her life. She would be a cradle row teacher and active in many ministries throughout. Marrying a fellow church member Floyd Christie, she would have two boys and a girl of whom the boys would be a constant source of prayer. Even though all three children grew up in the church only her daughter would remain in the faith.
Over the years Viola found she needed a closer walk with Jesus to maintain her faith as she saw her sons being drawn farther from the Lord. The oldest, Roland, stayed at home and like his father became a grower of hops. Also, like his father he would only have an outward connection to the church and spent most of his time growing the family business. Her younger son, Bob, proved to be the proverbial wild child. Having a love for fast cars he became a race car driver. And even though he had success at this his life was far removed from the faith he grew up in.
As both had children, Bob would have three and through divorces along with following the racing circuit, these children would be left for grandma to raise. Roland’s living on the ranch allowed his daughter to fall under Viola’s care often too. Her prayer list grew as the children became adults and none kept a close walk with the Lord.
As Viola approached her later years, she had many disappointments and losses. The family business failed and not long after her husband Floyd passed away. Roland’s wife died of a massive heart attack and Roland himself was taken by cancer. Viola moved into a small house on what was left of the ranch’s property. Cared for by her faithful daughter, Carolyn, she would spend her remaining years, not depressed or bitter over the life she had. But always joyful and praising God for His many blessings.
When I met her in the late 1980’s she was just about to celebrate her 90th birthday. Dianne had brought home more than a few ‘strays’ and Grandma Viola had added each one of them to her prayers. It was said she could spend hours on her knees next to the old tub in the bathroom praying the long-suffering prayers of a mother and a grandmother.
Later in the 1990’s as she approached death, one day she said to both Dianne and myself, “I will see you both in the kingdom. God has assured me that my prayers for you will be answered.” I, still under the influence of alcohol and drugs laughed it away as just another crazy thought of an old lady who was quickly becoming senile. But 12 years later I remembered her as I began my walk with the Lord. Dianne would encourage me by saying, “Nana prayed for you and her prayers are being answered!” As I approached baptism in 2012, I knew that was true. Viola Christie had been longsuffering her whole life and even though she had been in the grave for years her prayers were still coming to fruition.
When I think of Viola today, this verse comes to mind always, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5: 3-5) I look at her long life and see that nothing could separate her from the love of God. Not loss of wealth or husband or even loss of her children. She prayed and trusted in God always. That is what I see the Spirit’s fruit of Longsuffering does and she inspires me to this day.
My prayer for all of us today that we can open ourselves to this same Spirit and that we claim what He is so willing to give. May we all walk closer to Him as Viola did.
Blessings John
6/13/18
