“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…”

(Deuteronomy 4:9; ESV)

I have been blessed more than I ever deserve. Throughout my life there God has placed people at various times and in various places to remind me of the gifts and the blessings given to me. My grandparents have been one of these powerful and motivating blessings.

Last June, my grandmother got better. (Click here to read more) I was blessed to spend her last three weeks on this Earth with her. For those finals days I constantly joked with her about taking her to WalMart, put her in a scooter chair and letting her drive around. She would roll her eyes and smile. After a series of joking around with her, she got serious, very serious.

“You need to get back in the pulpit.” She said.

When she spoke those words, I had been out of the pulpit for over 9 weeks. I had resigned at the beginning of the year, but stepped away from the pulpit at the end of March. I knew she was going to talk to me soon; she just needed the right moment. When she spoke, I nodded in agreement and told her that “I knew.”

“You know where you need to be. Stop messing around with those other things.” she continued.

Since leaving the ministry, I had been involved in insurance and sales. The secular work had gone alright, but not as expected. Her words struck a cord with me; but not one of frustration, but one of humbleness.

My grandmother had been one to let me know what she thought, even if it frustrated me. She was always there when I needed her and here she was again, telling me what I needed to hear.

I think she knew that I would be back in the pulpit soon, but she wanted to make sure I knew her thoughts.

Today, she would be happy. After over six months of a much needed step back from ministry, I am back in the place that I love.

She is happy, because she is better and I am here.

I have been blessed with grandparents who let me know what they thought and how much they cared. Before my grandfather passed away in 1996 some of his final words to me were, “Tell ’em what they need to hear.” He meant ministry and I knew it. I know he is happy.

In 2004, I was blessed with another grandfather, when my grandmother remarried. I was blessed with my “Grandfather Part #2.” He has always encouraged me to stay where God intended me to be and where my gifts can best be used.

I am blessed.

While my grandparents have been a pivotal part of my ministry, I am happy. I am happy to be where I am and happy to be where I need to be with a loving, supportive congregation who, together, will begin to change the world.

Thank you for allowing me to share some of my grandmother’s (and grandfather’s) final words with you. Below are a few things I needed from my grandparents and they provided them. I share them with you today, so you can pass along a lasting legacy to your grandchildren.

Grandparents: Leaving a Legacy

• No Matter What, Care for Your Grandchildren – My grandparents, grandmother in particular, always stood by me in my decisions, but she also let me know what she thought of them. I know that her influence is one of the reasons I am where I am today.
• Share Your Heart – My grandparent’s shared their hearts with me. They let me see a glimpse of where I stood in their life. I am thankful for the way my grandmother spoke with me about our family and let me know what I could do in the future.
• Share your Spiritual Life – I know my grandparents are better because I know they have graduated to eternal joy. Their spiritual life is blessed because they held fast to the faith and their spiritual legacy will continue because of the lives they touched.

Begin today and share the love, the joy and the hope of the future with your grandchildren. Even if they will not listen, they know you care.

Just my thoughts,