Last Wednesday my Grandfather passed away.
He was the one who accepted Christ earlier this year that I mentioned in a previous blog post-so for that I rejoice.
I was able to attend his funeral this weekend. Overall, it was a good experience. A funeral is one of those things that helps put things into perspective. The service at the funeral was pretty much the service I believe that my grandfather would have given. The main point of the message was that being a "good person" doesn't necessarily mean you're going to Heaven. Only faith in Jesus Christ will save you from an eternity in Hell. I was glad that I was able to present a couple paragraphs in the service about his life. (I had the pastor read them, I wouldn't have been able to. Even with all of my complaints about lack of emotion- I'm not as emotionless as I thought.)
Most of my emotion came from viewing my grandfather's body the day before the funeral. It really wasn't so much because of his loss that I wept (although- I would've liked to hear more of his stories); it was because of how beautiful his life was. This was a man who loved his wife probably more than any man could. He served his country in the second World War, provided for his family, and instilled a work ethic in those who worked for him.
Short story time: My grandfather worked on a farm and logged woods part time. One day while logging woods, a log fell off of the truck and severely broke his leg about halfway through the work day. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to work for the next couple months, he finished his logging job for the day and then went to the hospital. Yeah. Tougher than nails is a good description.
Anyway, the man had done it all and seen it all. (Being a radioman on blimps in the navy, he traveled nearly everywhere in the world.) Near the end of his life, he realized that life has nothing permanent to offer and he trusted Christ as his Savior. It was thinking on the beauty and grace of how God had spared his life so many times so that he would come to salvation that got me. The more I thought about how excited he would be to be in Heaven and to see Jesus, the more the emotion came. Also, singing "In the Sweet By and By" got to me because I could picture him and I belting it out together loud and proud for the Lord.
I heard a quote on the radio as I was driving to his house, "It is better to look back on a well-spent life than to look forward to an unlived one."
I miss him, but I know I'll see him again. Now it's time to make sure I'm living a well-spent life.
Disclaimer!
This is going to be one of those preaching to myself type of posts, so this may not be what you want to hear. And, as always, if I say something out of line- let me know.
I enjoy longboarding. There is a greenway near where I live that is smooth and has hills. It's pretty ideal for riding. There's something about the cool rushing of the air over my face (also blowing my hair if it's long enough), the feeling of effortlessly gliding over a smooth surface, and listening to some great tunes. It makes me very glad that God made physics the way He did. (I wouldn't mind if he turned off gravity, but I'm sure he has reasons for that force's existence.) Anyway, it's a great experience. And since we don't get very much snow for snowboarding or skiing where I live- it's a good substitute.
However, one thing I don't enjoy about longboarding, is the stares. No matter how large your smile is, how much eye contact you give, or how much you wave and say "hi"- other pedestrians look at you like you are the lowest form of axe murderer in existence.
I know why. The skateboarding community hasn't made the best reputation for itself. There are some skaters who are angsty teenagers that vandalize things and purposefully aggravate law enforcement, BUT not all skaters are like that. I would say that I have been discriminated against the most just for carrying or riding a skateboard. And, to be honest, it doesn't feel very good.
(Here comes the preaching to myself.)
How many times do I do that to others?
How many times have I "assumed" because of the way that people look or dress?
How many times have I avoided others because of my assumptions?
If I do this, I am being the same person that I just described. These people that I discriminate against might have a lot in common with myself. Even if they don't, and they are angsty teen vandals- don't they need the Gospel of Jesus Christ as much as the next person?
I'll let God's Word end this post:
Titus 3:3-7
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
