This past week I had the privilege of being invited to eat lunch with my Elementary school grandchildren for Grandparents week.  It got me thinking of how instrumental my grandparents were in my life, and my walk with Jesus.

I was fortunate enough to get to spend a lot of time with my Grandma & Grandpa Keeton when I was little. I can remember listening to Grandpa Keeton, who was a Preacher of a small church in the south end of town, in his Sacred office (off limits to All of his curious grandkids), I could hear him talk to God like He was a real person, and that began my curiosity about God.  

I can remember coming home from school being so excited to see my grandparents car in the driveway, knowing that it meant a wonderful home cooked dinner, lots of laughs, warm hugs from my Grandma, and Lots of special attention of love and affection!  My grandparents stayed with us quite often when my parents traveled. On Sundays many times Grandpa and I would ride to Sylvania Church of Christ, (where he was the Preacher). As he drove he would talk to me about things the Lord showed him, (I think trying out his Sermon in advance ~ LOL). Again, I remember those conversations stirring up my curiosity about this God my Grandpa knew, and asking Grandpa how I could be saved from my sins.  At 8, my Grandpa Keeton (who didn’t know how to swim), climbed into a baptistry pool, and led me through a prayer of confession and profession of Jesus Christ as my Personal Lord and Savior, and baptized me.

As I grew – – my relationship with God didn’t.  I guess I believed at the time that just making the decision to be Saved from my sins was enough. And it was for Salvation, but Not for a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment!  Kind of like I see a lot of married couples that said “I do, until death does us part” ~ and they meant it at the time.  They’re married alright, but unless they work at growing their relationship ~ when life happens, as it always does, they’re destined to live a miserable life!  

Well, I certainly didn’t work at having a relationship with God.  I didn’t read the Bible because it didn’t make any sense to me.  I didn’t communicate with God like I had heard my Grandpa do so many times – – – I only threw up desperation prayers when I needed them. At that time, our family went to a lot of different churches.  Disciples of Christ, Church of Christ, Baptist, Charismatic, so I heard a lot of different messages from a lot of different preachers, but all I “heard” was judgement!  My view of God became one of a “Cosmic Policeman” waiting and watching to catch me doing something wrong, which I did a lot of, and never being quite sure I had done everything I should do to be saved and go to Heaven, and THAT is a miserable way to live!  Never being sure that your salvation is secure, wondering when the day comes, if you’re going to be the one left behind!

Now looking back, I can see though I wasn’t pursuing a relationship with God ~ He never left me.  He knew I meant what I said when I asked Him to be my Lord & Savior at just 8 years old. He was willing to guide me, pursue me, and allow people, and events in my life so as to lead me from just Salvation (which was instant from the time I asked Him to forgive me, and be the Lord of my life at 8 years old) to Sanctification – which is a Process of an Intentional Growing, Personal Relationship with God, of making me more like His image, and setting me apart for His purpose!

I will Always be Eternally grateful for the impact and influence that my grandparents had on my life!  In this world of Loud and Constant displays of Hate, Politics, Protests, all in the name of “Freedom of Speech”  –  – I WANT MY LIFE TO BE A LOUD AND CONSTANT DISPLAY of  Christ’s Love, Peace, Joy, and Freedom to my grandchildren!

Heavenly Father, may I be more concerned with imparting: Wisdom rather than Wealth, Acceptance rather than Achievement, Righteousness rather than my Rights, Peace rather than Power, Joy rather than Justification, Forgiveness rather than a Fight, Faith rather than Sight, and Unconditional LOVE rather than the Law!  They are watching me Father, and I want my Life to Always Point to YOU!  May your Love for me, and my Love for them Cover over the multitude of mistakes that I will make.  May they come to KNOW YOU in a Personal way, and Follow you all the days of their life!  May they be able to discern the difference between the world’s facts, and Your TRUTH of what and who They Are In You!  Protect them from the enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.  May I Leave them with a LEGACY OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS!

Psalm 112:1-3. “Praise the Lord.  Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.  Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.”