My maternal grandfather was a good, and godly, and giving, man. Every year on his birthday, I love to gather the family and give thanks to the Lord for his life.
I always think of the verse that says “a good man leaves and inheritance to his children’s children” – yes, that was my grandpa Garrett. He left me a physical inheritance of land that initially drew us to this lovely area of Tennessee; but, he also left me a spiritual inheritance that is not defined by flagged pegs on the corners of sprawling expanses of land.
I have something from him that will not pass away.
I have a grandfather who loved the Lord and loved people well. I have shared how seeing him talk to the Lord made such an impact upon me as a young girl. How I’d peer out the screen door trying to see who he was talking to; but, there was no one there. When I asked my grandmother about it, she told me he was talking to the Lord, as if it was as natural as him feeding the cows. I’d never seen anyone just talk to the Lord.
Grandpa’s life was evidence of his relationship with the Lord.
Garrett Alvin Carroll was a good, and godly, and giving, man.
I’ve wondered many times if the abundant blessings I receive today are a harvest of the generosity he sowed in the soil of our family. He gave to people that were in jail that had wronged him… just imagine how generous he was with his own family. He gave gifts of time, kind words, tender glances and embraces, leaning in to listen, sitting with you on the porch, of loving and serving his wife and family well.
Grandpa modeled a real relationship with an unseen; but, ever present God. Like him, I embraced the Lord, and have an eternal inheritance.
I am thankful for a good, and godly, and giving, grandfather who mirrored God in my life.