Who Am I Imitating? Part 2

I am imitating Grandpa Bobo.

My Grandpa Bobo was one of the funniest people that ever lived. Even though I have not met every person who has ever lived, my Grandpa was so funny that I feel perfectly safe in saying; "My Grandpa Bobo was one of the funniest people that ever lived."

When it came to church building, Grandpa was never failing in his work. I remember him driving around and picking kids up to bring them to church. I remember plenty of times when Grandpa and Grandma drove two cars to church because they had them both filled up with kids. Whenever I start to feel tired of driving around picking up kids, I remember them. Obviously kids knowing about Jesus was important to Grandpa, and it's important to me, too. I don't think that Grandpa ever forgot what it meant to him be saved from eternity in hell, by calling upon the name of Jesus in repentance. That is why he cared enough to go and pick up all those kids.

Grandma and Grandpa were a major part of starting at least two churches that I know of. I know that they spent time going from door to door witnessing. When my brother, my sisters, and I were young, it was always special when it was our turn to go on visitation with Grandpa and Dad. I remember having Bible Study for years at a couple's house, who were unsaved before Grandpa and Dad knocked on their door one day. Grandpa was not the Pastor of the churches, he attended, but he went door to door witnessing. In today's church, I believe that the door to door visitation/witnessing is believed to be the job of the Pastor. Also in today's church, many churches are dying out. If only more people in today's churches were like Grandpa Bobo, who didn't believe that door to door visitation/witnessing was only the Preacher's job. It is not just the Preacher's job , it is the Christian's job. When Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," He was talking to all of us, not just the Preacher.

Grandpa was a very unique song leader, and I miss hearing him. He didn't just tell us a page number and sing along. Often he would tell us about who wrote the song and why. He sang with all his heart, he just put so much into the song. He loved to sing at home as well. I remember many evenings when Grandpa got out his guitar and Grandma went to the piano, my Aunt Sherry, Aunt Linda, Dad, and Mom, and Grandpa would sing in harmony. They sang old hymns, and not once did it sound like a funeral. That music was alive! Beautiful! I remember as a child watching Grandpa as he lead singing in church or sang with guitar at home. I knew that those songs meant so much to him. Now as an adult when I hear songs that Grandpa sang with so much passion. I listen extra careful to the words. I realize that he was teaching us all what was important in life by leading songs the way he did. These songs teach us about our lives as Christians, and Grandpa knew it. I don't know how many times I have been going through a hard time, and the words to a song that Grandpa led us in singing with his great passion, have gotten through that hard time.

Grandpa was a wonderful family man. He loved us all so much. Most of all I have learned from him, that your family is a gift from God, and you should love them with all your heart forever, no matter what. If they do something to make you mad, than you forgive them and keep loving them.

I want to share one of my favorite songs that Grandpa used to sing. I remember when I was a little girl, and I mean really, really little, like 5 years old, he led the singing for kids at church. He used to have us sing this one over and over, and he sang it with so much meaning, I know it meant a lot to him. Maybe this is the reason he loved all of his family so well, because he loved Jesus first.

There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest Name on earth.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The Sinner's perfect plea.

Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

Who Am I Imitating?

Today, I got my Sunday School Class's "Greenhouse Project" books and study guides in the mail. I have been anxiously awaiting getting these so I could begin studying them and getting ready to teach the books for Sunday School. I can't really tell you a lot about the book yet because I haven't starting reading it. I did read the first page for the Student Guide though, on which the students are encouraged to be aware of what they are imitating. This made me think, as a leader to the students, who am I imitating?

I am imitating Grandpa Eastwood.

I will never forget at Grandpa's funeral when a Pastor gave my family a Christian Flag, in the manner that a veteran's family is awarded a United States flag. (Grandpa was a veteran as well, by the way.) This was to honor his work as a solider for Christ in his lifetime. The man told us that Grandma and Grandpa Eastwood had a left us a legacy. They may not have left our family many earthly treasures, they left us a much greater legacy. They left us the legacy of prayer. Grandpa and Grandma were true prayer warriors.

I remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Rensselaer where he was a pastor. After breakfast Grandpa would have his prayer time. We had to play quietly during that time, so we didn't interrupt his prayer time. I remember just waiting, quietly outside his door for him to come out so I could spend time with him. (I LOVED hanging out with my Grandpa Eastwood.) I realized at a young age that his prayer time was so important to him. He knew that when he had a need the first thing to do was pray. When he met anyone he put them on his prayer list, and didn't take them off until they died. At which time, he began praying for their family. I have been trying to make prayer more and more important part of my life.

I am learning that the more you prayer the more you grow. You know, kinda like that kid's song, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow-grow-grow." Well, really exactly like that song. The more I pray, my relationship with the Lord is growing. The more I pray, the happier and more content I am. I am definitely starting to understand more what Paul meant when he said "for I have learned whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Of course, I am also learning places where I am doing the wrong thing, which isn't the most fun, but I am learning to change as well, which is good. I appreciate each prayer request that someone shares with me. First of all, I appreciate the someone had entrusted their need with me, to share with the Lord. Second, I am thankful that each petition I make know unto God, is only going to make me stronger.

What is continuing to amaze me more and more is that I can actually talk to God. I mean, when I fist type that sentence, I am thinking, 'uh-duh-prayer is talking to God." What I mean though is, Isn't it incredible that the God of the Universe, not just the Universe, but the God of ALL! Allows us to go to Him with our repentance, thankfulness, praises, and petitions! I am nothing, my life is nothing more than the life of a blade of grass. I was born, I will live a short while, and I will be dead. I am nothing special, but God wants to hear from me! Wow! How wonderful and amazing God is, that He loves us so much that He allows something as small as a person to come before Him, to come before His throne, and talk to Him! Also, I can't believe that He gives us this precious gift of prayer and we choose so often not to use it!

Finally, just one more quick note. If we want our children to grow up to be people who pray, than we must start teaching them right away. No age is too young. My 3 year old son prays. He has learned to make a list of his own requests. He puts everything from family members to his pets to his toys on his prayer list. Just the other day, when I was not feeling well, he told me in a very reassuring voice, "I will pray for you, Mommy."

Grandpa Eastwood is definitely a hero! He is not my only hero though, and I will write more about other's whose life I would like to imitate soon.