This weekend my grandfather passed away after many different health difficulties. It was no doubt a very upsetting time for my entire family. Knowing he was saved is a comforting thought but knowing you will never see him walk through the door again is difficult. He taught and showed me many things mostly through just simple observation of his life. Here are just a few!
- When I was young my parents undertook a difficult situation that left us homeless. Him and my gran-mom willingly took us into there home for several months. I remember as a child my room was separated from the kitchen by one simple wall were I would hear them pray for there kids and there gran-kids. At the time hearing them pray for me was not a big deal because of my age. But as I grew older I really appreciate such an act that they consistently showed in the early mornings over many years. I could never thank them enough for that alone.
- He showed me a servants heart. He participated in puppet ministry for kids over many years while working very faithfully through children Sunday school at our church. Also he helped oversea our bus ministry to reach less fortunate children in our churches area. The bible tells us the greatest among you is called the servant. That is something he displayed time and time again throughout his life. (Matthew 23:11) He was my bus driver in elementary school, my Sunday school leader in church, one of my examples to follow and my gran-father.
- He taught me how to joke around with people. If you know him you would know how he was often joking around or playfully picking on you or trying to just make you laugh. He passed that on to my dad and me as well.
- He loved the Phillies! Baseball was his thing. While he was in the hospital for many days I asked him if he was getting bored. He basically said yes until the Phillies are on. Good news for him the Phillies win the World Series every year in heaven!
This time has been difficult for my family. An earthly loss for sure but heavens gain. I am somewhat Jealous of him. He gets to achieve a fellowship with God that has not been known since Adam. To my family I know sometimes living in the valley of our current situation is hard but we can take comfort in knowing that God is on the mountain above our every difficult circumstance.
Pop-pop I love you we all do. Thank you for everything.
