Lifeshots

Memories of Ralph are like a book of snapshots to me. Some are clear and sharp and some fuzzy, but all prompt an emotion and recall a life event. Some of the "lifeshots" in my PawPaw scrapbook include.

Oneonta
Meeting the entire family - he was a strong powerful tornado, the funnel of energy in the midst of all the ruckus and loud talking. He whooped at Ronnie - was I in the midst of a bunch of crazies? I had never experienced so much "life" at one time in any family and PawPaw was the source.

Ralph showed me his office. It held the largest personal library I'd ever seen. I felt awe - I was in the presence of a man like Spurgeon or FB Meyer. That weekend I think Ralph talked to me and took more personal interest in me than my Dad had to that point in my life. It was pretty overwhelming. He liked me - and I have loved him ever since.

Another weekend PawPaw asked me to preach. I was so excited. But also wanted to crap my pants - he was an icon to me - I so wanted to please Jesus and Ralph - and I can't remember who more so! He always gave young men encouragement to enter the ministry.

He and MeMaw were working to grow the Messenger - it was inspiring to see their passion for the gospel drive a MONSTER change in their lives. They demonstrated the value of creativity in sharing the gospel and deep conviction about it's life changing power.

Marriage
I'd followed Jesus' for around two years. A book said that Jesus' men must ask a Father for permission to marry his daughter. So I did. We met in the college cafeteria (what excellent taste). He said, "You two do what you want to do. Just don't ask me to pay for it!"

Kinsey and I wrote our wedding. We wanted to make the gospel clear and our "sermon" ended up being several pages long. We gave it to him and he said, "This is too long! Way too long." We asked him to do it anyway. He read it all (and it was definitely way too long). I can still remember what I consider a unique voice. And I learned that he would tell you what he thought.

Anniston
He and MeMaw were there when April was born. It was really sweet to have a man to share that incredible experience with.

Every Easter Ralph and Barb came to our house to hunt eggs with the kids. They always brought plastic eggs with money inside, every now and then a dollar. One year Timmy found one, opened it and said, "Wow - a green dollar!" PawPaw loved it.

He offered to match or double (?) whatever the kids saved each year. He gave us our first house. He loaned me enough money to buy a car. Pawpaw is a very generous man. Very generous.

Sometimes they would drive up and go to church at ABC. Afterwards, he and MeMaw always took us to Morrison's. It was there that I first recall noticing two longtime habits. One was to shake and bang his glass on the table when he wanted a tea refill. The other was to leave quickly -he was too energetic to stay in one place for long.

Providing for family camp for us all. What an incredible gift. And speaking of incredible - those grits. PawPaw up early in black pants and shoes, talking loud and banging pots in the kitchen. That big, tall, silver looking pot. And best of all, 2 quarts of grits, 6-10 pounds of butter and a cup of salt. Never had better grits in 52 years - absolutely the best. And he made me responsible one year to stir them.

While considering leaving Anniston I called him for advice. After listening to me and asking a question or two, he said, "Don't do that. You have every thing you need and have worked for. It's a stupid move." Once again, he was correct. Pawpaw is wise.

Ministry
Apologetics. The deity of Christ. The good news. Forgiveness. The local church. Reproducing younger servants. Family. Grace and acceptance. Compassion for kids. I remember his arms raised as he preached. What I recall most about that are his hands, especially his fingers, strong, thick, a little curled and spread wide.

We would talk theology while riding in the truck or fiddling in the press or sitting in the house. One day he told me his biggest question of all. "Where did God came from?" It wasn't logical that God didn't start sometime, somewhere.

Starting Line
We all know that PawPaw's finish is actually just the start. After trusting Jesus, he's trained all his Christian life to meet our King well and to reign with Him. Totally human with all our foibles, failures, irritating ways, dark corners and depravity, PawPaw is also magnificently human with all our incredible abilities, image of God majesty, desire to conquer life and need for relationships. And he channeled all that into the progress of the gospel.

He's about start a completely new life: meeting Harold with no hindrances. Bet they both whoop and run to meet with hugs. He might try to give our King a back slap. He will get to hear the answer to,"Where did you come from?" Reunion with his brothers. Welcome home's from all those who trusted Jesus through his ministry and beat him home. And it will only get better forever from there. Awesome.

PawPaw is one of the most significant men in my life. I weep with sadness, gratitude and gladness. I will miss him greatly but anticipate seeing him again even more. I hope he knows how deeply he's impacted me and how much I love him.