Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Keeping in Step

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24

My grandfather's funeral was last week; several things that happened caused me to stop and reflect. When my grandmother passed away they did not have a pastor to speak, the family led the service. My mother and aunt had decided to do the same with my grandfather. Needless to say, I was disappointed considering he had accepted Christ at the age of 87.

A couple came over to my parent's house and spent time with them after my grandfather's death. My mother said that they had already left when she felt the need to call him back and ask him to prepare something for the service; he was a pastor. He gave a short sermon on salvation at my grandfather's funeral; the presence of the Lord was there. He also read a beautiful poem at the graveside and prayed.

My first cousin got up to speak and read a letter that he had felt compelled to write several years ago to my grandfather. He never sent it and at the time couldn't understand why he was writing the letter. The letter was a testimony of my grandfather's life.

As you recall, I had spent several weeks in Ohio before my grandfather passed away. I can't remember the last time I spent 2 consecutive weeks in Ohio, it's been awhile. At the start of the summer my prayer was that God would use my summer for His purpose. I was able to spend time, just time with my grandfather and learned new things about him. My last memory is of him holding my hands and praying for me. God is good.

My daughter hadn't seen him in several years and they had a special relationship. My grandfather loved his girls! It worked out that she and her husband were able to make the trip up for a weekend. She spent some time with him and he was able to meet her husband.

My point in all of this is that God orders our steps; things just don't happen. If we maintain communication through prayer and reading His word, He will direct us in the way we should go.

I'm going back up to Ohio for several more weeks; my mission trip for the summer! I may not be posting until the last week of June; but don't leave me, check back then. My prayer is that God will be able to use me and lead me to new precepts in His word.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

2 comments:

Retta said...

Saved at 87?! What a miracle... what grace.

How wonderful, the way God orchestrated events and timing. Such a gift.

I love it that you are looking at your time in Ohio as a missions.

We'll be here when you get back, waiting to hear what God had on the calendar for you!
Loretta
=^..^=

kathryn said...

Oh, I am so happy you got to spend that wonderful, quality time with your grandfather...and that he got to visit also with your daughter and her husband.

It's such a blessing that you have that special time to remember him by.