Billye Brim Blog
July 5, 2024
It’s Friday, and most of my out-of-state family left this morning. I’d rented a large (sleeps 14) vacation rental close by for nearly a week. With that place and my house and the nearby family in their own homes, we could all be together. It was a five-star Fourth of July. Everything turned out just right. Fireworks. Fun. Fellowship. Even the food, much of which was prepared by my grandchildren.
The Mimi rule! – Upon arrival, you have to greet me with a kiss.
Many things I’ve learned over the years were life-lessons shared by Brother Kenneth E. Hagin. How he walked in love with his wife. Taught his children. Dealt with church problems. Etc. I never thought he was bragging. I just appreciated the wisdom.
Some of the great grandkids getting ready to enjoy fireworks at Prayer Mountain.
The great grandkids enjoying fireworks at Prayer Mountain.
So with that as my motive, I am writing this blog. Sharing some thoughts I’ve been thinking today in the quiet after they’ve gone home. Thoughts about being in ministry and keeping one’s family. Not losing them by their thinking that ministry is more important than they are.
Left: A fun evening boat ride with Penny, Cody and Kelsie’s daughter. Right: Cody driving the boat and letting all the kids take turns!
I learned to compartmentalize. I learned to separate times that were just for them. When my four were growing up. Times for their activities. Ball games. Music. Etc.
Grandkids enjoying some lake time.
I always so appreciated my role as wife and mother. (And now as grandmother. And great-grandmother.) Kent thought I was the best preacher he ever heard. He told Elizabeth Pruitt, a minister friend, “Don’t you think Billye is the best preacher you ever heard? I think Brother Hagin gets a lot of his ideas from her.” She, being a woman preacher, didn’t think so.
Cody and his family went out to enjoy Silver Dollar City for the day!
I told that to Brother Hagin and he laughed. He said, “That’s just what Kent ought to think.”
Left: Me and my great granddaughter, Eiley! Right: Here I am reading to the family on the history of Independence Day.
Left: Jared made an excellent meal for the family! Right: Grandkids enjoying lunch (from the same table my children grew up having meals on).
But Brother Hagin also told me, when I was leaving to go out into full-time ministry, that he knew I wouldn’t make the mistake some women ministers were making at the time. The women’s lib movement of the day had bled over into the church. Brother Hagin could see that I knew how to put being a wife and mother above being a minister.
The guys discussing fantasy football. A very serious conversation.
My granddaughter Kayelin made this clever bunny trap!
For instance, when we went to church on Sunday morning, Kent listened to what I taught as my best supporter. But when we walked into the kitchen after church, he wanted to eat. I usually got up early to put a roast on or a chicken dish in the oven. There were no restaurants in our small town. Going out to eat wasn’t an option. (I might have used it if there had been.)
Left: Rebekah and Brayden (Branden and Destanie’s newest addition) enjoying some rest while the others adventured on the boat.
Right: Saint and Piper resting after a long day at the lake.
Left: So much fun staying in one house together for all the grandchildren to play! Right: Chip showing Nathan a fun game on his phone.
Fourth of July has always been an important time for a just-our-family get-together. Yes, as we grow in number not every one of my dearly beloveds can make it. And we miss each one who cannot. And yes, in the last year I’ve spent six weeks in Australia and two six-week trips to Israel. But for these compartmentalized family times, I just enjoy being a mother and grandmother. Making a big breakfast. Listening to them laugh and play is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I’m including some pictures here just to share some of our joy.
I never forget my First Love (Revelation 2:4). But that bodes well as an example to my next love. Family.
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