The year was 1914 when Samuel was born. 5 months later the Austro-Hungarians declared war on Serbia marking the start of World War 1. He grew up on a farm in Murray, Kentucky enduring the Great Depression and both World Wars. His family moved to Fort Myers, Florida when he was a young boy where he got the privilege of being a paper boy. He had a pretty spectacular route that included the likes of Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison. Sam liked to deliver the paper in person and on many occasions got to go inside Edison’s workshop and see what he was currently working on. When Samuel was in his early 20’s he married Charlene and they spent the next 67 years happily married together.
Sam was my grandfather and God has used him to teach me many lessons (sadly, most of which were after his passing). I wanted to share a brief history of him to show you all that he had been through. If I had to give one word to describe his life, it would be AGAPE. He had a knack for loving people. That was one of the many things he taught me. He loved everyone, no matter who they were or what they could offer. Everyone had value to him because of the One who created them. He was warm and welcoming. He had such a sweet spirit and was one of the godliest people I have ever known.
Sam loved to spend time with God and to him it was such a sweet time of fellowship. It always amazed me how much of an impact God had on his life. They were inseparable; God spoke so clearly and intimately to him. He couldn’t hear very well with his earthly body but it didn’t matter, his ears were set to a different tune. The overflow of his walk was poured out on his family, friends, everyone he came into contact with, and on the pages of his journal. He taught me the very special value of journaling. I would like to share a couple of his journal entries that he made not too long before he passed away at the age of 94:
“Since I love my wife, I seem to migrate into the kitchen and sit at the kitchen table to be near Charlene. Then something prompted me to move to the dining room table to join my family. From there I was led out to the front porch to sit in my rocker and visit with my neighbor. Since I was created in the image of God and made to glorify God, my soul was not at rest until I moved down to the 3rd row of pews at church to bask in the Christian fellowship of the Saints.”
“The more I study the WORD I realize that the Good LORD who created me and gave me breath and life and provided me this ole BODY that has carried me though so much, so long even when parts of it fail me. My arms, my legs, my ears, my bladder. But I must listen to it with tenderness to see what my body is saying, and I should honor and respect it; it houses the real Sam. ‘Your body is the Temple of the soul’.
The all WISE God created me in His image (a SPIRIT). Then He had to provide me a body to house that Spirit (which is the real SAM). So God provided me with a two-legged vehicle to give me mobility and so I could come and go during my short lifespan here on earth. I must admit that it is a little disturbing when I get up each morning and look in the mirror and realize that what I see is only this old body that houses the real SAM. It is disappointing to see how weak, how sick, how dilapidated it has become. In fact it will soon be unlivable and I will have to move out.
When I talk like this Charlene says don’t be so morbid! Well I must respond that I don’t think it is morbid to declare my faith, for I believe when one or God’s children takes that giant step from earth to everlasting life that the angels in Heaven are singing and dancing and waiting to welcome me. So when I have to move our of this ole Body, just release me temporarily and let me go. You must not tie me down with tears. Lets rejoice and be happy for so man good years together. I gave you my Love and I cherished the Love you have shown me over the years. But now its time for me to travel alone. It’s only for a little while that we must part, and then when you come this way I will greet you with a divine smile and welcome you home. And to my Brothers and Sisters in Christ that remain on earth, I will report to you as soon as I get my Glorified Body. I will let you know how it fits me, if I can find a way to send a Spiritual E-MAIL. O’ death, where is your…I claim your VICTORY!—SAM”
This last entry I had the opportunity to share at his memorial service. It reflects so clearly what was on his mind. He had come to a level of maturity in his relationship with God that he saw things clearly. It must have been beautiful to even get a glimpse of what he saw. How I wish I would have spent more time with him while he was still here. There was so much I could have learned. But one day…
One of the things that Sam taught me over the years was to be able to confidently answer two simple questions: “Who are you?” and “Whose are you?” These have been two of the most impactful and tear laden questions that I have ever had to try and answer. I ask these questions every time I find myself in a rut and need Him. I have found myself in very depressing times clinging to what was left of my identity in Him trying to claw for more. When everything in life was shaking I needed something to hold onto. The truth that He declared over and about me was what held me together. I look forward to sharing with you more about what that looked like in future posts 🙂
