Anna – A Woman of Grace
Last year I wrote a devotion about by neighbor George, entitled “All In.” I promised to write a separate one for his wife, my friend Anna, for this year’s devotion booklet. So here goes.
As I mentioned, I have lived next door to my Greek neighbors, George and Anna, since May of 1996, and it has been a joy. Anna, like George, has been an inspiration to me. She is a perfect yin to George’s yang. Anna is a behind the scenes person, compared to George’s more gregarious personality. They are different, but the same on matters that really count. Anna is a beautiful person inside and out. She is creative, giving, and has a distinct eye for fashion.
So, what have I learned from Anna? Like George, Anna has demonstrated a love of and devotion to family. Last year I talked about how she and George took care of their three grandsons from when each was born until they went to preschool. Anna cooked countless batches of chicken soup, made their lunches, mended their stuffies, found stylish bargains for them at TJ Max, and in general loved them up. They of course are crazy about their Yia Yia. Through the years I also witnessed Anna’s dedication to her daughter, son-in-law, mother, sister, and her brothers. The summer their daughter Georgia, and son-in-law Trevor were married, Anna’s mother Dora, and her sister Evgenia came for several weeks to help prepare for the wedding. They were amazing. They hand sewed paraments for the altar decorations, made baskets for the junior bride’s maids, and baked countless cookies and pastries for the reception. Creativity runs in the family! Dora, also known as big Yia Yia, visited regularly from Greece, until she was unable to travel. Anna went for an extended visit each year to be with her mother and sister in Greece. She was very loving and faithful to her mother who passed a few years ago.
Anna is the perfect combination of Martha and Mary, the two friends of Jesus. Anna is a doer and a giver like Martha. She is also very devoted to the spiritual aspects of her faith like Martha’s sister Mary.
On the Martha side She is an active member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, an organization that provides support to those in need, and promotes the Greek Orthodox faith and traditions. She and members of the group sponsor several bake sales, and other fund-raising programs throughout the year. Her baked goods are famous for their deliciousness and beauty. Anna spends hours in her kitchen fastidiously preparing cookies, spanakopita, and other baked goods to help raise funds. It is not unusual to see her kitchen light on until the wee hours. Beautiful plates of cookies are prepared and delivered each Easter and Christmas for family and friends. Anna is kind enough to make a baklava for GPUMC to sell at the annual Palooza fundraiser, often creating a bidding war, as it is a sought-after prize! Anna is continually active in her church, offering her time and talents in many ways. As her lucky neighbor I am quite sure I would be fifteen pounds lighter if it weren’t for Anna sharing food with me.
On the Mary side Anna practices her faith both inside the walls of the church and in her daily living. She adheres to the traditions of fasting, prayer, and attends services wherever she is located. When they travel, she and George often visit monasteries, churches, and religious sites. Anna emulates Jesus every day. She is always making a meal or paying a visit to friends who need a little extra care. She does these generous acts without show. She just does them quietly with love. In thinking about this devotion, I decided to look up the meaning of the name Anna before writing this, and it turns out her name means “grace.” That is so fitting, because she serves God and the world with grace.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Nancy Grose
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