By Jerry Love, LBF Communications
The Thanksgiving holiday has just passed when we express our gratitude to God for his care and blessings for the year.
The celebration of Christmas is beginning in earnest as we thank God the Father for God the Son – Jesus – and the salvation that was given through His birth, life, death and resurrection.
But there are times in our lives that we reflect and give thanks, not because the calendar says it’s time. We reflect because of the changes in the seasons of life and the effect on our hearts.
I find myself at one of those junctures of life. Recently my dad passed away and joined my mom in heaven where they are eternally praising God and living “true” life. I am grateful that in the last days of his life, my dad repeatedly said he was ready to see Jesus.
As I reflect on the past, and the present, I am grateful for many things.
I am grateful for parents who served the Lord. My mom and dad didn’t send us to church, they took us every Sunday (both services) and Wednesday.
Some of my earliest memories are of dad “leading the singin” and mom playing the piano at St. Rest Baptist Church on the White Lightning Road in northwest Lincoln Parish.
Later, at Cook Baptist in Ruston, Mom and Dad were involved in many aspects of the church – deacon, choir, committees – too many to elaborate in a short space.
One memory that stands out is their work leading a Sunday School class for international students. Over a number of years this class hosted students from Asia, South America and the Middle Eastern, all who came to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught and enjoy the warm fellowship my parents provided.
I am truly thankful for their example.
I am grateful for my in-laws, who likewise have served the Lord and made church attendance and service to God a family priority.
They have served at FBC in Zachary for more years than I can count as deacon, Sunday School teacher, treasurer and more.
They recently returned from a mission trip to south Texas where they were a part of a team that did construction and ministered to some of the poorest families in the US. Again, I am thankful for their example.
I am grateful for Grandparents who loved the Lord. One of my earthly treasures is the Bible of my dad’s mother, Lavara Garriss Love, which sits on the corner of my desk.
And although I never knew him, my mom’s dad, John L. Hood, made sure he shared Jesus with anyone who visited the general store he and my grandmother Katie ran.
Hanging under the front porch of the store was a sign that stated “PRAISE YE THE LORD.”
On the back of the sign for the patrons to see as they departed was the scripture verse Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God…”
I am grateful for a Godly wife who, in spite of me, managed to raise five wonderful children all of whom know the Lord as their personal savior.
I’m even grateful for three sons-in-law (so far) who also love the Lord and are active in serving their local church. I am especially grateful for four very special grandchildren who are growing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I realize that not everyone is blessed to have the Christian family heritage that I have. But there is someone or many “someones” who influenced you, mentored you and pointed you towards God. So the question is: How do you honor the lives of these servants of the Lord who have impacted your life?
- Hold their memories close and share their legacy of faith with others. Tell your children and family members and friends about those who influenced your own faith. Also become a mentor to others.
Deuteronomy 6:7-9 tells us to teach the ways of God to our children in every aspect of our lives and also to be bold in public display of our faith.
- Give in honor and memory of those who influenced your walk with Christ. Your church presents many opportunities for you to give in support of its ministry that could also honor your spiritual mentors.
Also the Georgia Barnette Conference Center under construction at Tall Timbers is providing the opportunity to honor or memorialize your loved ones by purchasing bricks or pavestones with their name inscribed (https://louisianabaptists.org/gbcc).
One other way is to establish a family ministry fund that allows you and your family to contribute in memory of deceased loved ones or in honor of family birthdays.
At family gatherings you can discuss how to put the funds to use to further the Gospel of Christ.
- Finally give thanks to God on a regular basis. Pause and reflect on the impact that each of these persons had on your life and how the prayers they have offered on your behalf have sustained and refreshed along your life’s journey.
