This past weekend I got to spend time with my family in Florida and remember and honor my grandfather who passed away earlier this year. As people retold stories and memories that they had shared with my grandfather, I realized what an impact one life can have. My grandpa lived a little over 80 years on this earth, but he touched so many lives. He had an impact on relatives separated by generations and hundreds of miles, and even those outside his family were impacted by his quiet and faithful life. He was dedicated to God and his family, he provided for a wife and 5 children, he stayed married to the same woman for 60 years and he served wherever he went. On the plane ride home, I overheard a conversation some high schoolers where having about their own parents, about how many divorces and marriages and kids they had. One girl claimed that everyone in her family except her parents had been remarried at some point. It made me sad that this is considered normal now days, but it also made me thankful for my grandpa. He led by example, he lived faithfully each day and that had an impact on his children, and grandchildren and it will continue to impact his great grandkids and the generations in the future. Because he was faithful, it was easier for the next generation in my family to also stay faithful. I’m so glad to see so many of my uncles, aunts, and cousins following Jesus and still living faithfully to one husband or wife.
So thanks for running your race well grandpa! I hope I can do the same.
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