The Greatest of Grandparents

I’m fortunate, though I didn’t always realize it.  I was blessed with two sets of godly, dedicated grandparents, who loved me even while I was aimlessly drifting.  So, a belated shout-out to W.F. (Bill) & Nadine Lown and Roy & Florence Moyer!  They were all faithful to God throughout their lives, even to the end, despite all of them dying in painful ways, of cancer, disease, or heart issues.   

Earlier this week, right before shutting down the computer for the night, I googled my granddad, Bill Lown.  He had crossed my mind for some reason, and I was curious what information or pictures were out there.  It was neat to read through a lot of the history he was involved in with the restoration movement, missions, the North American Christian Convention, and as the president of Manhattan Christian College.  I even found some audio files of some of his old sermons, and it was so good to hear his voice again!  

I always viewed Granddad as a very important, dignified person…but he was also very accessible and loving.  When I was a young grade-schooler, I would frequently send him fake ‘checks’ I filled out using order forms and receipt books, as a ‘donation’ to Manhattan Christian College.  I sent quite a few of these over a two- or three-year period, and it might have been annoying after awhile, but every time I sent a ‘check,’ he would send a ‘receipt’ and a thank you letter, with loving words of appreciation for my good intentions.  He was also one of my biggest cheerleaders, encouraging me to be a writer after I won an essay contest and had a poem published in fifth grade.  I’m belatedly trying to honor his belief in me!

Fast forward to me traveling in a rag-tag carnival with the guy I married after a whirlwind ‘romance.’  Imagine my grandmother and granddad…this lovely, dignified, respected couple…visiting me on the midway!  We were set up near Joplin, Missouri, where my granddad was teaching at Ozark Christian College in his semi-retirement, and it was near my birthday, so they came and visited.  They graciously met all of the carnies, and looked around at games and rides on the midway.  I’m sure they were dying inside at the state of their granddaughter’s situation, but they didn’t betray any negative feelings.  They were loving and supportive, as always.

We don’t often appreciate what we have, until it’s gone.  But we can honor those who have gone before us by continuing to walk in the way of faith as they did, treating others with love and respect, as they did.  I only hope my grandchildren can look back someday on precious memories of love and godliness they experience with me.

“Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.” ~Psalms 22:30

One thought on “The Greatest of Grandparents”

Larry Kuhl 

 

I have fond and wonderful memories of W.F. Lown – nothing but respect for this man of great integrity and honor. He always had something encouraging to say – even if it was a passing on the stairs at MCC.