Grandpa, Thanks for The Encouragement

Observations

Grandpa Howie went home to Heaven last week.  To honor him, here is a little memory.

Philippians 2:3 says, ”Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Grandpa loved ice skating.

Grandpa loved ice skating.

Grandpa took this one seriously. If you ever talked with him, even briefly, you noticed that he didn’t talk down about others or brag about his own accomplishments. Instead, you noticed he was continually talking about how God was working through someone in his family or someone in his church.

In your brief conversation, you might have heard him wax poetic about how so-and-so had a real ambition and a love for the Lord, so he started such-and-such a ministry. You probably heard about what a great businessman his son was, how well his girls could shoot a gun, or play the piano, or choose an amazing husband, and how lucky he was to have such great sons-in-law. There is no doubt, however, that in that brief conversation you heard what a pretty little redhead Grandma (Ginny) was, or how sweet Diana was and simply wonderful for putting up with all of his quirks.

Well, if you ever found yourself the target of one of Grandpa’s brags, you had to watch out. You were about to find out you were the best bus driver in the county, the premier carpenter in the state, or the most faithful Sunday School teacher in the Midwest.

Grandpa wanted everyone to achieve full impact for the Kingdom of Heaven and he knew that every talent — singer, preacher, or diesel mechanic — counted.   He believed that regular people could achieve great things for God, so he cheered them on. If you knew him, chances are you were one of them.