Monday, May 31, 2004

 

Dear Family:

 

Today is Memorial Day and all across this country people are gathering to remember those who have sacrificed all or part of their life for this country. As I think back, I remember my ancestors who fought on this soil in this country for the establishment of the freedoms and liberties we today enjoy. To name just a few there was General John Brown from Roane County, Tennessee, his brother Major Thomas Brown and John's son Captain Benjamin Brown. The most important veteran in my life turned out to be G. C. Spurrier, my stepfather.

 

G. C. married my mother after the death of my father when I was five. I learned to know him and have grown to love him more with each passing memory for who he was and what he fought for and most of all, for what he taught me. G. C. was an uneducated man but profoundly wise, unmovable in patriotism and a heart which filled most of his 300+ pound body. I remember the disease he contacted in the Panama Canal Zone and the 7 conflicts he fought in as he served in World War II.  I regret each and every day that he never had the privilege of having children of his own and most of all I regret that he never had the privilege to know my children and grandchildren.

 

Ardyce and I went to visit our sons in Austin this weekend. My grandson is only 3 1/2 but has already learned how to push my buttons. When he sees me, I see him light up and come to me like I am king of the world and saying, "Grandpa."  You know the rest of the story. I melt like butter on a grill. Then there's my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. Where did she get that beauty? She comes timidly looking up at me with more blue in those eyes than God could have ever imagined for either sky or sea. She comes looking like a queen saying in her actions, "perhaps if you are worthy you may come close." I pity those broken hearts that will surely be left to only dream of those eyes as she moves through her growing years.

 

There is a thought here that is just so touching to me when I stop for a moment and consider it. It is almost too wonderful to put into words. When I knew I was going to be a father, I could not wait to hold my son, touch him and show him my love. I loved each of my boys before they were born, I loved them before they ever saw me, knew or loved me and that love has grown with each passing day. When I knew my sons and their wives were going to bless me with grandchildren I again fell in love with these beautiful children I had not seen or known. I loved seeing the love of my sons being fathers for the first time and now there is no greater humbling experience than to hear these little ones say, Grandpa. They are too young to be trying to impress me. Their actions are genuine and unmasked. They are purely natural without condition. They are learning to love me and that is a blessing which is thrilling beyond description. Blake and Bridgit's love is pure and untainted. They take me just as I am, they don't care where I have been or what my faults are they just love me and somehow I think they had to learn it in the womb when they were alone with God. It must be the love they learned from God before they were born because we adults don't know how to love that way, only God does.

 

God has permitted us to get just a glimpse of the love He has for us. God loved us before we knew of Him or knew Him or broke His heart. That is the love He has for us while we are breaking His heart. He was there pulling at our heart strings trying to get us to know Him and love Him. Before we knew him, he loved us and it is the same love He has for us when He hears us calling His name. Time and time again He has told us how He loves us and has shown it. I know He loved His son just as much as I love my sons, yet He permitted His Son to die a terrible death - in my place - to prove to me that He loves me that much.

 

 Deut 4:37 "And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, (NKJ)

 

Deut 7:7 "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (NKJ)

 

Jer 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (NKJ)

 

The last verse says He loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Himself with loving-kindness.

 

I think God permitted me to experience His perfect love through my children and grandchildren so He could use this moment in history for me to share these thoughts with you to draw you to Himself. He wants to show you His love and He wants you to love Him. You did not come to this page by accident. He brought you here by whatever means to speak to your heart. Why not right now speak back to Him and ask Him to help you learn to love Him.

 

Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NKJ)

 

God is in your midst and remember He is the creator of the universe. Think about this ... the creator of the universe is with you today and He will quiet (comfort) you with His love. He is going to rejoice over you with singing and I just bet He will do it through your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What unspeakable love that He loved us before we knew Him!

 

In Christ

 

Chuck