front porch wisdom from Granny

Every now and then, God gives you a moment that feels like a blessing wrapped inside a conversation — the kind you return to over and over because it holds truth, comfort, and clarity in equal measure.

This interview with my Granny is exactly that.

Her words are simple but profound. Unpolished but powerful. Full of faith, lived experience, and the kind of wisdom you can only gain from a life rooted in prayer, character, and courage.

These are her words — in her voice — shared with love, reverence, and gratitude.
May her wisdom meet you exactly where you are.
May it steady you, soften you, stretch you, or strengthen you in whatever way you need today.

1. What important life lessons have you learned so far?

Granny:
Worrying is a waste of time. Pray and trust God. He will take care of you. Worrying will just ruin your health.
If I can do something, I do it. If I can't do anything, I pray and leave it in God's hands.
I have never been forsaken and He has always made a way.

Some people think they have to rob and kill, but there is no need for that. God will take care of you if you let Him.

2. How is the world different or similar to what it was like when you were a child?

Granny:
When I was growing up, everything was segregated, but I didn't let that bother me. At that time, it was just the way things were. Although I didn't particularly like it, I never thought about it much.

Today, there are a lot more freedoms and so many opportunities for young people especially… yet I see too many young people getting into trouble. Not all of them — but far too many.

In my day, maybe one or two kids out of the whole community would get into trouble. Now it's happening with too many. And many families won’t admit they are at fault, but character development, life training, and discipline happens first and foremost in the home.

3. What advice would you give parents today?

Granny:
Teach your children about God’s way. You will never regret it.

Teach them to respect you. Don’t give them everything they want. Only give them what matters — your time, love, character, and discipline. Don’t let them have their way with everything.

When you discipline your children for doing wrong, it must come from a place of love. If you do not discipline your children, you are indirectly saying that you do not love them.

Every child is different, but you must love them all equally. No playing favorites. Never praise one child above the other.

And teach them to eat healthy foods — their choices now will matter later in life.

4. What has been one of the hardest lessons you have learned?

Granny:
That some people are full of envy and jealousy. If they see you doing something positive and making progress, they try to make you stop.

When people like this gave me a hard time, I didn’t fight with them. I just spoke the truth and moved on.

Some people are nice, and some are always trying to bring you down. I never let the negative people bring me down. I would smile and go right on about my business. I paid them no mind.

5. What are your earliest memories?

Granny:
Let’s see… my earliest memories involve cooking. I can remember cooking my first skillet of cornbread when I was 8 years old.

At age 12, I baked my first cake. I made it for my birthday, and everyone in the community came to get a piece. I was so happy that other people wanted some of the cake I made. I was glad to share it — and I barely got a piece!

6. What do you want people to remember about you?

Granny:
That I had patience with my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren… that I helped take care of them, cooked for them, and always helped in any way I could.

7. What celebrities did you admire or emulate?

Granny:
I never did want to be like anyone else. I just wanted to be myself.
I didn’t want to cook or sew like anyone else — I wanted to cook and sew like myself.
I always wanted to be me.

***

There’s something sacred about sitting at the feet of the elders who shaped us. Something grounding about hearing their stories and holding their wisdom with open hands.

Reading her words again reminds me:

• Faith is strength.

• Character is currency.

• Discipline is a form of love.

• Comparison has no place in a healthy home.

• Negativity can be acknowledged without being absorbed.

• Being yourself is more powerful than trying to be like anyone else.

My Granny lived a life anchored in truth, patience, and unwavering trust in God — the kind of life that leaves footprints we can follow.

I share this with you because this wisdom is not just for our family.
It’s a blessing meant to be passed on.

May something she said settle into your spirit and stay with you.

And may we all — in our own way — live lives worthy of being remembered just like hers.