Saying Good-bye

Saturday morning we woke up intending to go to Sherwood to set up for our banquet. Right as we were leaving a got a call from my mom. "Grandpa Hornish has gone home!" To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

Grandpa Hornish is not really my Grandpa by blood, but he has always been Grandpa! Before I was even born Grandma was my mom and dad's Sunday school teacher and neighbor. She and Grandpa were very instrumental in my parents call to ministry and have been there every step of that way since that call nearly 35 years ago. Grandpa was the one who would take us to pizza hut when we were young - he loved pizza! Grandpa and Grandma are the ones my sister, brother and I would call when we needed prayer for an upcoming missions trip. We knew they would be faithful to pray!

So when mom said, "he has gone home!" I knew what she meant and managed to get off the phone and tell Ron before bursting into tears! As I held Ron and cried on his shoulder it wasn't for Grandpa - I know where he is! I know some of my tears on Saturday were for Grandma. I can't even begin to imagine the pain of loosing a partner after 71 years of marriage! Impossible to comprehend! I'll be honest with you though, my tears were selfish on Saturday morning. I will miss Grandpa. Not because I see him so often, or even talk to him on the phone, but because I can honestly say he is/was the strongest Christian Man I have ever known! The world lost a warrior this weekend, Jesus gained a saint! What a man of God my Grandpa was! I wish I could put into words all that has been going through my head today!

I drove the 90+ minutes to Warsaw by myself this morning for Grandpa's funeral. It was a good time with the Christian radio playing and Jesus and I chatting. I thought a lot about Grandpa. I had to smile as I passed pizza hut - I don't think I will pass one again without thinking of Grandpa! I thought about his legacy and how he will be remembered! I desire to leave the kind of legacy he has left!

I thought about my dad. See my dad has been a Pastor to Grandma and Grandpa the past few years as they have lived in a retirement village and have been unable to attend their local church. Dad was asked many years ago to do their funerals, he tried to get out of it then, but when he was called upon this weekend he knew it was what Grandpa wanted! What a difficult task for my dad today and I have to tell you - He did so well. Grandpa would have been so proud!

I wish I could introduce everyone to Grandpa and that's not because he was such a chatty social person - he was not. He was a quiet man who rarely said much at all. In fact you really had to dig to get him to say much, but Grandpa didn't have to talk. He walked his talk! Let me share a little about him. (I hope I will get the details straight)

Grandpa was a farmer. In 1974 a tornado came through their farm. From what I can gather Grandpa was a Christian man at that time, but that tornado changed my Grandpa and Grandma because the next morning before Grandpa went out to continue cleaning up the mess from the storm he told Grandma they were going to have devotions together. From that time until now I don't think they had missed a morning. They would read the Bible and pray together! Also from the time of the storm on, Grandpa would tithe his gross. Many farmer friends thought he was crazy because he would take the 10% before anything else. His explaination was that he had robbed God for so long so now he would give him the 1st 10%. Grandpa was not only a Christian, but he lived a Holy Life! My dad summarized it best - there are lots of people who are "go to church on Sunday morning Christians", Grandpa lived out the lifestyle! He lived holiness! If you knew my grandparents you had no doubt that they loved Jesus and desired to serve Him every moment of their lives!

And so today as I said good-bye to Grandpa I had lots of tears! Tears for my loss, tears for Grandma - tears of joy for Grandpa who after 91 years has finally been united with the King of Kings! I can almost picture him sitting at Jesus feet tonight, I know Jesus has welcomed him with open arms, "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant!" Welcome Home Grandpa!