“I am Uncle Matt.”
FJG
Monday, October 30, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Conceived
LORD willing, this precious babe will soon give birth to her babe…and we will finally know the name of this beloved one God has created:
Reuben Jon or Amelia Gray.
She has proven herself loyal to Luke’s wish to keep their knowledge of this baby’s gender a mystery until birth.
Soon, the LORD’s purpose for this baby’s gender identity and name will become known!
God is good, He is faithful, and He does not make mistakes!! I’m so thankful the LORD will accomplish His purpose in this babe’s life!
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
Friday, October 20, 2023
Pawpaw’s Memorable Wuv
Proverbs 3
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
…
I seldom read this chapter without thinking of Mark’s father.
In our early years of parenting, Mark was encouraged to read this proverb, because it was considered a father’s encouragement to his son. He asked his father to help him memorize it, knowing by this effort, they would both receive the blessing of meditating on it together. They worked hard to accomplish that desired goal, disciplining their time and thoughts to meditate on God’s Promises as a father and son.
When our Pawpaw left us in late September of 2012, we had weeks to prepare for his departure, yet it was still a difficult loss! We still miss him, especially more as his birthday and the holidays roll around.
When we spend any length of time thinking of him, we recall soo many memories we shared with him, and so much we’ve missed with him! He always surrounded and loved us so well. He enjoyed laughing with our children. I loved that about him.
Eleven years have passed since Pawpaw moved to Heaven. It’s easier to say, “We’re glad he’s with Jesus”. I’m thankful he’s surrounded by a host of angels and the perfected righteous saints who have gone before us.
He not only left his memory with us, but his home is still filled with token reminders to help us not forget his fun-loving personality.
One such token reminder of his love was gifted to our family by Mawmaw at one of our Christmas gift exchanges. When our Gray family gathered for Christmas in 2019, Mawmaw brought a White Elephant gift Pawpaw had purchased and given her some 45+ years ago, back when her parents traveled from NC to join them for their family Christmas. Mawmaw’s dad (Harry) also purchased and gave one to her mom (Willie Mae). Needless to say, I thought, “What a fun Christmas memory to reflect back on.”
In a White Elephant Gift Exchange, individuals wrap gifts that may be desired and/or not so desired. That’s the risk and fun of wrapping gifts beautifully or simply, to distract from the least and greater desired treasures. The gifts are placed in the center of the room for all to choose from. Everyone chooses a number, and are then able to take turns selecting their gifts, numerically.
In his imperfect and limited human way, Pawpaw gave simply, yet hilariously. He knew there was little of anything on this earth to adequately represent and express his love for Betty, his wife.
Soo, this was the year I could not risk losing what I thought was a simple and funny token treasure given from Pawpaw to Mawmaw. I claimed it, wanting in some way to continue sharing in his fun-loving memory. I also imagined how much fun it would be to re-gift this token annually… so the members of our family could annually enjoy Pawpaw’s fun loving spirit.
Sometimes there’s much fun to be enjoyed while gaining a gift while hoping someone else would not steal your treasure. It’s also funny when recipient individuals encourage someone to steal their gift in order that they gain another more desired possibility.
I confess, I stole this gift from the one who was not impressed. I had little to nothing else to gain by the time it was my turn to choose a wrapped gift, but I had a greater love and appreciation for Pawpaw’s memory and token of his love to gain!!
A few years have passed and Harrison has played with and experienced Pawpaw’s gift. Harrison has left his handling mark on it…
Now the hair is not as fluffy! 😂
Why Mawmaw decided to part with this token treasure is everyone’s guess, but I’m thankful to have it. For now it’s in my possession as I await our next Christmas gift exchange. I wonder who will receive, and hopefully treasure it next?
In hopes of encouraging Pawpaw’s memory, I’ve written this poem to accompany his gift…
Pawpaw’s Christmas Wuv
This gift comes with a story,
Of a Christmas long ago,
Kept hidden away in safe keeping,
Until this year’s gift exchange to bestow.
KD and Harry went shopping, and
They purchased a gift for their wives.
Neither guessed this gift would keep giving,
To generations not yet alive.
There were two, so one is still hiding,
Would be a fun treasure to find,
But for now this lone one expresses
“Wuv” ne’er forgotten Pawpaw left behind.
This gift may not seem such a treasure,
But it’s truly a Gray’s love to bear,
To take home and display for reminder,
To regift hilariously next year.
KCG
In Loving Memory of our Pawpaw, K.D. Gray
10/08/27-09/27/12
Saturday, October 7, 2023
I Miss You!!
Not only will the sorrow of death be forgotten in the joy of heaven, but the joy of heaven will be far deeper and richer because of earth’s pain and sorrow.
—J.R. Miller
10/10/30-08/03/20
Sunday, October 1, 2023
A Time to Celebrate
When the Lord Jesus Christ
became the husband of his church, he felt that he was under an engagement to us, and inasmuch as there were debts incurred, he paid them.
“Yes, said the Son, with her I'll go,
Through all the depths of sin and woe;
And on the cross will even dare
The bitter pains of death to bear.”
He never shrunk from the doing of any of those loving works which belong to the husband of his chosen spouse.
He exalted the word “husband,” and made it to be more full of meaning than it had ever been before, so that the apostle could see it glittering in a new light, and could say, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
Oh, yes! dear friends, there is responsibility arising out of this relationship, but he of whom we speak has not departed from it;
you know he has not.
And now, what upon our side?
The wife has to reverence her husband, and to be subject unto him in all things. That is precisely our position towards him who has married us.
Let his will be our will.
Let his wish be our law.
Let us not need to be flogged to service, but let us say—
“’Tis love that makes our willing feet In swift obedience move.”
Charles Hadden Spurgeon
The Relationship of Marriage
We were able to get away this past week for a couple of nights and partial days to celebrate our 36 years of wedded togetherness!
We praise the LORD He has been the FAITHFUL One in our marriage relationship to sustain us and prove us.
Our brief getaway was an hour’s drive to the Casa Monica (our 2nd time) in St. Augustine. What a peaceful blessing! We both needed a change of scenery, and it was good, very good, that we could spend time together with few cares! It rained a good bit, but we made the best of it. The LORD held back the rain so we could get out to walk soon after we arrived Tuesday evening. We practically had the place to ourselves…
and then again Wednesday morning until after lunch…
We went back to our room Wednesday afternoon in time to enjoy a restful nap to the sound of rain falling on our window.
Eventually, we ventured out again to enjoy dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
We met and interacted with three friendly couples (older than us), two which joyfully professed faith in the LORD and had been friends for forty years. They drove down from Macon, GA. It was a blessing to hear them thank our LORD Jesus before their meal together, in this cozy place where tables were close.
Before we left, a family we were acquainted with at our past “home church” of 30+ years, FBC, walked in with four of their adult quintuplet children. What a delight it was to see and briefly visit with them before we left! Three daughters and one of two sons were with them. The son that was not with them will soon be wed in November.
I am praying for them, because I know how that first one to marry is exciting, and yet (not unlike the marriages of the others) will sever. They will depart from all they’ve known with us as a family for 26 years together.
Father, may we remember You have ordained the marriage of a man and woman to be the priority union, commanding in the beginning that Adam and Eve be fruitful and multiply. We praise you for giving us Your reward in our four children during those fruitful years. You greatly increased our JOY!!
In this season, we oft feel empty and barren, yet our children are now bearing the fruit of their children to be enjoyed. We are so thankful they are willing to share them!!
Help us to continue to enjoy one another, and those You’ve called us to love and serve. We are full, and awed to watch You at work as we grow closer in years and grace in this blessed life together!! We still have much to learn and gain from Your holy ordinance of marriage!
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
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