Who Am I Imitating?

Orginally posted 6/26/09
Today, I got my Sunday School Class's "Greenhouse Project" books and study guides in the mail. I have been anxiously awaiting getting these so I could begin studying them and getting ready to teach the books for Sunday School. I can't really tell you a lot about the book yet because I haven't starting reading it. I did read the first page for the Student Guide though, on which the students are encouraged to be aware of what they are imitating. This made me think, as a leader to the students, who am I imitating?

I am imitating Grandpa Eastwood.

I will never forget at Grandpa's funeral when a Pastor gave my family a Christian Flag, in the manner that a veteran's family is awarded a United States flag. (Grandpa was a veteran as well, by the way.) This was to honor his work as a solider for Christ in his lifetime. The man told us that Grandma and Grandpa Eastwood had a left us a legacy. They may not have left our family many earthly treasures, they left us a much greater legacy. They left us the legacy of prayer. Grandpa and Grandma were true prayer warriors.

I remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Rensselaer where he was a pastor. After breakfast Grandpa would have his prayer time. We had to play quietly during that time, so we didn't interrupt his prayer time. I remember just waiting, quietly outside his door for him to come out so I could spend time with him. (I LOVED hanging out with my Grandpa Eastwood.) I realized at a young age that his prayer time was so important to him. He knew that when he had a need the first thing to do was pray. When he met anyone he put them on his prayer list, and didn't take them off until they died. At which time, he began praying for their family. I have been trying to make prayer more and more important part of my life.

I am learning that the more you prayer the more you grow. You know, kinda like that kid's song, "Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you'll grow-grow-grow." Well, really exactly like that song. The more I pray, my relationship with the Lord is growing. The more I pray, the happier and more content I am. I am definitely starting to understand more what Paul meant when he said "for I have learned whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Of course, I am also learning places where I am doing the wrong thing, which isn't the most fun, but I am learning to change as well, which is good. I appreciate each prayer request that someone shares with me. First of all, I appreciate the someone had entrusted their need with me, to share with the Lord. Second, I am thankful that each petition I make know unto God, is only going to make me stronger.

What is continuing to amaze me more and more is that I can actually talk to God. I mean, when I fist type that sentence, I am thinking, 'uh-duh-prayer is talking to God." What I mean though is, Isn't it incredible that the God of the Universe, not just the Universe, but the God of ALL! Allows us to go to Him with our repentance, thankfulness, praises, and petitions! I am nothing, my life is nothing more than the life of a blade of grass. I was born, I will live a short while, and I will be dead. I am nothing special, but God wants to hear from me! Wow! How wonderful and amazing God is, that He loves us so much that He allows something as small as a person to come before Him, to come before His throne, and talk to Him! Also, I can't believe that He gives us this precious gift of prayer and we choose so often not to use it!

Finally, just one more quick note. If we want our children to grow up to be people who pray, than we must start teaching them right away. No age is too young. My 3 year old son prays. He has learned to make a list of his own requests. He puts everything from family members to his pets to his toys on his prayer list. Just the other day, when I was not feeling well, he told me in a very reassuring voice, "I will pray for you, Mommy."

Grandpa Eastwood is definitely a hero! He is not my only hero though, and I will write more about other's whose life I would like to imitate soon.