I ate an extra piece of chocolate today in memory of my grandpa.  Dad called to tell me that grandpa had passed away in his sleep this morning, and so I sit with tears in my eyes, rejoicing at his peaceful departure from this world, and knowing that he is in a far better place with his Jesus. 

As the tears silently roll, I can simply smile as I think back to the man that he was to many.  To me though, he was “grandpa.”  The kindhearted kind of grandpa, the one that would joke with us, the kind who truly cared about the well-being of others, the kind who would give big hugs.  And if there was anyone who would slip us generous amounts of chocolate, we all knew it was grandpa.  (As kids, when we visited, there was always a jug of chocolate milk in the fridge, brownies on the counter, and a box of Rustle Stover’s candy that he would silently slip to us when our parents were out of sight.) 

He served others well.  I can still picture him putting on his cap to go to town to get fresh buns for lunch asking if I wanted to come too.  While others saw his service to grandma or his compassion in his countless visits to those who were sick or in need, I can recall his compassion in feeling bad if he knew others would loose a game.  In fact, if grandpa knew he might win, he would intentionally try to loose.  We liked playing games with grandpa. 

As I grew older and considered what I might “do” with my life, he encouraged me to teach and was supportive of Larry and camp.  I can recall when he told me of his journey from full time farming to becoming the pastor of a small church.  As a farmer who had completed the 8th grade, he felt far from qualified, yet sensed God guiding him to humbly lead.  And grandpa sought to humbly follow his God.

So I thank God for my grandpa…not because he was perfect, but because he was genuine.  Because he sought to embrace God’s truth, and other people with joy.  I thank God for working in the lives of faulty, simple people who embrace His grace.  Today, more than ever, I trust that grandpa is rejoicing in that Grace. 

(This was about 5 years ago at grandma and grandpa’s 60th wedding anniversary)

(I love this old picture of grandma and grandpa.)

(The grandpa smile.)

(Grandpa and I in Mexico)