Kari and I returned from my grandfather's funeral a few weeks ago. I had started this blog as soon as we got home, but for some reason couldn't bring myself to complete it. The weekend we were gone was an incredible time of remembrance and celebration as we said goodbye temporarily to a wonderful man of God. Throughout my life J. R. or "Papa" has been such an amazing influence and inspiration in my life. No one has shown me what it means to be a man of God and disciple of Christ more than my Papa. He has loved and cherished all of his children, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even his great-great-granddaughter.
The funeral home was jam packed full of people. There was simply not enough room in the chapel to keep everyone. People were standing up in the back of the room; others were listening in the foyer; all gathered to remember a man who touched their lives simply because he surrendered his life to Christ and was passionate about sharing that with everyone he came in contact with. Nothing in life was more important to Papa than his relationship with Christ.
Papa was not a minister, not a pastor; he wasn't a high scholar; he didn't have a Ph.D.; he was simple; he was loving; he was compassionate; he was wise; and he was the greatest man I've ever known. Words cannot express how much he has impacted my life. I remember several years ago when I told Papa that I was surrendering my life to the Ministry. His eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas day. He was ecstatic! It brought him so much joy to see his family loving and devoting thier lives to Christ. While at the funeral my dad stood up to share a few words about Papa. What he said was true: everyone in the immediate family has at some point accepted Christ as their Savior! Daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and spouses, and great-grandchildren. What a legacy! How incredible!
The last time I was really able to visit my grandfather was in April of 2012 when he and my mom came for a visit. We spent the weekend sitting around, talking. Papa loved to share stories about his life, and it didn't matter if he was talking about cars, farming, his time in the Navy, all the times he visited the mountains, every time he spoke, he would always find a way to bring the conversation back to Jesus. The time I spent with him that weekend was no exception. I remember the last words he spoke to me that weekend before he left: "Ben, God has something special planned for you and Kari. I believe you won't be here (Texas) much longer. God has big plans for you, and I believe you'll know it within a year."
I never told Papa that for over a year we've been praying, feeling that God had something else in store for us. He just said it! And now, less than a year from when Papa spoke those words to me, Kari and I find ourselves preparing for the biggest adventure of our lives: the World Race. I don't know if Papa was too ill the last few weeks before he died to know that Kari and I were doing this, but I don't think he had to know. I know that he would have been proud of what we are about to do. I believe that he would have sent us with his blessings. And I know that he would have told me to put God first in everything, and that he couldn't wait to hear about our trip.
I guess I'll have to wait to tell you all about it on the other side, Papa; but thank you for being such an inspiration to me. Words are not enough. You showed me the love of Christ; now it's my turn to show the world. I love you.
