Remembering Those Who Have Gone Before

 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.  1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)

When I began this post, Mother’s Day had just past. Memorial Day is now behind us. During these times I have been thinking about those who have gone before and what their influence has been on me. Even as Timothy, for me it goes back to my grandmother, and my mother, as well as a beloved uncle.

As I listened that Mother’s Day Sunday to Pastor Jeff Sanderson (Bondurant Federated Church) tell about his godly mom and how she had influenced his life, I thought about my mom. Unlike Jeff’s mom, my mom carried a lot of baggage around in this life, and wasn’t able to influence me as a good example the way his did. In a lot of ways, my mom wouldn’t have been considered a good mom because of a multitude of personal problems, but there was one thing she did that was a lasting influence. I have often quipped that when I was growing up, I had a “drug problem”: my mom drug me to church every Sunday! Parents, let that be a lesson; if you get your children exposed to the word of God, something is going to happen! My mom enjoyed her time in church each week. Perhaps it was that she felt the problems of her everyday life were unable to touch her for that brief time. She went to church nearly every Sunday for her entire life. That was one good habit that she managed to instill in me. Up until I went into my “wandering period” in my mid 40’s, I don’t think I missed more than three consecutive weeks of church.

Then there was my grandma. She was a great example to me; a devout follower of Jesus Christ, such as I have not known since. We lived in grandma’s house until I was eight years old. My earliest memories of her include my walking into her room, and seeing her sitting in her chair reading her Bible. Grandma was the first person that I remember expressing that she was proud of me. I remember a day when she and I walked to downtown Maplewood, about a half mile one-way. I was three or four; she was in her late 70’s. We would stop by her friends houses along the way (and she had a lot of friends) and I can remember her proudly telling each one “this is my grandson!” It was easy for me to make the connection therefore: grandma=good; grandma reads Bible, Bible=good!

Then came that day. I was twelve years old. I went to visit my uncle Bill for about three weeks. I had developed a love for the outdoors, and an interest in farming. Uncle Bill, my dad’s oldest brother (grandma’s eldest son) had no children or grandchildren of his own, and he was happy to have me come and visit him down on the farm. On that first Sunday as we were waiting for time to go to church he asked me that question: “Bud, are you a Christian?” I was taken aback by this question, and though in my surprise, I answered in the affirmative, I couldn’t help but think; “what did he mean by that? What else did he think I would be? I’m not a Muslim, or a Buddhist, and I’m certainly not an atheist. I’m an American, and I go to a Christian church. What else would I be?” As I pondered that question over the next couple of weeks the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and I gave my life to Him. The rest, as they say, is history.

I doubt that there are very many instances in which there is only one person who leads another to Christ. There are many who influence each of us in that decision, whether we realize it or not. As I think back to these, and many more who have gone on, who were an important influence on my life and my walk with the Lord, I would encourage all who read this to do what these did, that is, just be who God has made you to be, and do what He gives you to do. God will use what you do to accomplish His purpose.

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today.