He also had a microphone and tape recorder...something that looked like it belonged in a recording studio. He wrote and sang gospel music and recorded his songs himself. Many times during our visits he would set up the microphone and tape recorder and my sisters and I would have a good time recording ourselves.
There were several times during these visits that we talked about God, Jesus and heaven. I don't know what prompted me to ask him questions. Perhaps it was just simply that I felt comfortable with him. He always showed us lots of patience and I always appreciated how he shared his faith with me through answering my never ending (and sometimes hard) questions. Looking back, I realize that he was planting the seeds of what is now my faith today.
Over the years, my faith has come to be so important to me. This has never been more true than during my darkest times. When I didn't know what to do, which way to go or who to turn to for help, I turned to God. It was my faith that saw me through these hard times. It is my faith now that helps me look back on those low times and see the positive things...the ways I've grown, the lessons I learned, the blessings I was given even if it was but for a moment.
In January, 2008, I was given the opportunity to tell him that I am a Christian today because of him.....through his patient and loving way he shared his faith with me. I was about to let the opportunity to tell him this pass me by, as I am a shy person by nature. But something in me told me to say it....that he needed to hear it. Three months later, a year ago this very night, he passed away due to congestive heart failure.
Many times in raising my children I question whether what I'm doing with and for them is truly in their best interest or mine. I've been taking my children with me to church for going on 3 years now and I'll admit there are times that my children are dragging their feet. It is during these times that I feel discouraged as a mother....am I doing this for them or me? Then I think back to my story of my uncle and I realize that I am doing this for them AND me. For myself, I am nurturing the faith that I now have. For my children, I am planting the seeds of faith in them now. It's up to them to nurture them and allow it to grow in whatever way they are going to grow, if they grow at all. They will reap what I sow. As my children grow up there will be lots of things they will face, good and bad. I am giving them the spiritual tools they will need to see themselves through the storms of life that they will encounter.
I wanted to end this post with a poem. I don't know if it really had any personal connection with my uncle. I just vividly remember seeing this poem on a plaque on his wall in his room. As a child, it didn't mean much to me but through the years, I grown to love this poem. The poem is "Footprints:"
Footprints
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied, "my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Carolyn Carty, 1963
In Loving Memory
Marty Webster Pender
January 24, 1951 - April 6, 2008
2 comments:
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing! God bless you, I'm so thankful He put you and Steve in my life. You both have 3 beautiful kids and you are amazing parents...and I love you all! Tracey
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Tracey! Thank you so much for your comment. We thank God every day for you and all of our friends. You have been such an important part of our lives for so long and we feel blessed to count you as a friend. We love you too! Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment!
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