Ridgell's Originals

Nettie Blaisdell died last week at the age of 104.  You probably never met her.  Might never of even heard of her.  But you need to be like her and here is why.

She lived a long time.  I don't mean her years here on earth.  She was a Christian so I think she is still living, but I am really thinking about how her influence is still going strong.  And will for a long, long time.

She raised two children who are faithful Christians.  And they raised kids who are now raising kids.  Lot of spiritual heritage in her generations.

She helped raise me in a way.  Her son Richard and I were best friends.  Met in the church nursery at the old Trinity Heights church in Dallas.  I spent a lot of time in her home.  It was a great place to hang out.  She and her husband Walter were quiet people, which I'm sure made it exhausting to have me as part of their family.  But they always put up with me, made me feel welcome, modeled Jesus.  And I have faithful kids and grandkids.  Thanks Nettie.

Richard is a preacher like I am.  We have touched a lot of lives, many of whom never heard of Nettie.  And if you add in Charles Smith, another preacher that is an "honorary" Blaisdell, you have even more of her influence.  Thanks for always believing in us and encouraging us.

She taught Bible class (usually the nursery class) for ... well , who knows.  Seventy or eighty years. 
That's a lot of babies to be held, sung to, and prayed over.

She would hate this blog.  Would say she never did anything special.  Wouldn't want any attention or fuss.

Just wanted to follow Jesus and do what she could.  With her life and in her home.

She died in the Lord and she is blessed.  Her work here is over, but her deeds will follow her.  For a long, long time.  Forever even.

Thanks God for Nettie Blaisdell.  Thank you for her example for me and for Richard, and so many others.  Thank you for giving us someone to love us, pray for us, and always encourage us to follow you and to tell others about you.  Give us more Netties.