Getting to know Jesus better

I was asked to share a bit at my grandmother’s funeral Saturday morning. These are my notes:

In December of 2007 I asked Grandma and Granddad to come to our home in Red Oak where I interviewed each of them for roughly an hour.

I asked her about her life, her faith, her joys and her struggles.

And like Granddad, she didn’t have an unkind thing to say about anyone.

I thought I’d share just a few of the things that really stood out to me during our brief chat…

I started off asking her about several members of her family, including her mom’s mother. She said one of her fondest memories of her grandmother was how much time she spent in the Scriptures.

She told me about a time she needed to memorize a verse for school – and my grandma said she knew exactly who to go to – her grandmother – who taught her:

A word fitly spoken is like apple’s of gold in a setting of silver. Prov 25:11 KJV (her preferred version)

Thinking back on that verse and Grandma’s life, it truly sums up so much of her life. She was always caring and loving and encouraging with her words.

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As we continued the interview, we talked about her joys in life and her happiest moments – and she told me that the happiest days of her life were those spent with the tall guy – and no – I don’t think she was referring to me.

Even though I may have ultimately beat Granddad in height no one could ever take that special place that they held for each other in their hearts.

They spent 59 years together before Granddad passed away last March. I can’t remember a time they weren’t together. They were always at each other’s side caring for one another and truly loving one another and their family.

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Thinking about grandma also reminds me of her special attention to education. She would always help us with homework when asked and even hosted “Grandma’s Pre-K” for Kara.

I would have never guessed it — if she hadn’t fessed up to it during our interview — that she only completed school through the 10th grade.

Mom says she was a little embarrassed by that, but when I think of all she accomplished in place of that diploma – I celebrate it.

Rather than focusing on her own education, she stayed home to care for her family after her mother became sick.

It was just another example of grandma always putting others before herself.

And I also believe it was her passion for education that ultimately led her own daughters to graduate college and go on to become teachers themselves.

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And not only did she have a passion for education – but just like her grandma – my grandma always had a passion for Scripture.

I always impressed with Grandma’s passion and knowledge of the Bible.

She was just 19 when she started teaching Sunday school – she taught her peers and others for more than 40 years.

I feel privileged and lucky to have been there the last Sunday she taught at Pleasant Mound United Methodist Church – where Grandma and Granddad were active members for more than 4 decades.

When I asked her about her Sunday school teaching she told me, “When I started — I wasn’t really prepared – I just studied the Bible and shared what I learned with others.”

As a small group leader myself, I dream of people catching that same vision and attitude towards Scripture and our faith.

No training, no special courses — just a passion for studying God’s word and a passion for sharing what they learn with others.

Not sharing with “boastful knowledge that puffs up” but with love, graciousness and understanding like grandma had.

Simply sharing what you’ve learned in your own studies with others.

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There are just so many wonderful memories. I’m sure the stories could go on for days.

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But as we gather together to grieve and mourn the loss of Grandma’s physical presence in our lives, I think back to the words she shared that had been encouragement to her over the years…

When her own mother was on her death bed, she told grandma – “We won’t need flowers in heaven.”
It seems very hard for me to imagine my grandma not surrounded by her amazing flower garden in the spring – blooming full of tulips – but I know that’s the least of her concerns now.

Grandma also shared a poem that she held dear in times of personal struggle – especially after my sister Amy passed away:

Give me the faith that asks not why
I shall know God’s plan by and by
Give me the faith that looks at pain
And says it will be right again
Give me the faith to live my life with all its joy, its troubles and strife
And then to go with the setting sun
Knowing God’s will has been done

She added:

“My faith has helped me get through the struggles in life. I don’t know what the future holds but I do know I trust in God as my redeemer.”

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You see, Grandma had a good clear perception of her faith – it was all about getting to know Jesus better.

When she was 13 she walked the aisle during a worship service in East Texas and told the pastor, “I want to know the Lord better.”

She told me she didn’t think the pastor fully understood her – but she knew that Jesus did and that’s what mattered.

And I firmly believe she spent the rest of her life getting to know Jesus better and better day by day.

I can also say that I now know Jesus better because of the life she lived and the example she gave all of us.

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As we closed our interview back in 2007, I asked grandma for any other advice or thoughts.

She told me:

“I pray that you will have been blessed by knowing your grandmother and your grandfather”

To that I said – and still say —

I have been — indeed.

We all have been – without a doubt.