Living In Grandmama's House

The Kirksey family finds ourselves starting 2026 in a new home. Part of our ministry at FBC Butler coming to an end was the need to move out of the church owned home (sometimes called a parsonage or pastorium). Thankfully for us a home was readily available. It is located on Crossroad School Rd. in Butler, GA and is across the road from parents' home, as well as my aunt and uncle's house. This is the house that both my father and grandfather were raised in. I am sure it has gone by many names. But for me, my sister, and my cousins, we know it best as "Grandmama's house".

One of God's greatest blessing in my life was to grow up in close proximity to family. I could cut through the wooded path to visit my cousins, and I could walk across the road to see my Grandmama. Even my family that lived out of town made regular visits, especially during the holidays.
Grandaddy passed when I was very young, so essentially all my life Grandmama lived as a widow. Her house was a place of fun and refuge for her grandchildren. We loved to pack our little suitcases and spend a Friday night. As I got older I found myself walking over to her house when I had done something wrong at home and was in trouble. I would never bring up to her what was going on, it was just like getting a fresh start. We would talk about the weather, the Atlanta Braves, and sometimes the local town gossip  news :)

Quite often we would talk about the Scripture she read that morning on the front porch. Grandmama loved reading her Bible, and she loved the Lord. Im sure after two Seminary degrees and 20 years in the ministry I have accumulated more Bible knowledge than she had, but I am equally as certain that I have a long way to go to have a faith as strong as as hers.

Grandmama went home to be with Jesus in July of 2016. One of the greatest honors of my ministry was to preach her funeral. No one was more proud than her when I surrendered to preach the gospel. She often said to me "Sonny (she called me that a lot) when I die y'all don't say that you lost me, because you know exactly where I am, I'm in heaven".  That is exactly where I believe she is. Grandmama's passing left her home vacant. It is basically furnished and decorated that way it was when she passed. We use it as a gathering place for holidays and family get togethers. Both my sister and one of my cousins have lived her for a season while their permanent home was being built. Now my family is here during a time of transition. God has placed a burden on my heart to continue to minister in Taylor County, prayerfully seeing a new church start in 2026. My wife is teaching at the local elementary school, and my children have settled into the school and community. We will eventually find a permanent home here. But in the meantime, I am going to pause and enjoy living in Grandmama's house. I find inspiration from remembering her faith, joy in the wonderful memories of time spent here with her and my family and hope that just as she made such an impact on my life, through the grace of God I can impact the lives of others.

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Justin Kirksey