Devotional
Granddaddy’s Last Words
My grandfather was a pastor in the Methodist Church, a predecessor of the United Methodist Church, and toward the end of his life, he had a series of strokes that left him confined to his bed. About this same time, I began feeling a call to ordained ministry.
On a visit to see my grandfather, my father encouraged me to tell him what I was thinking. I was not sure he would be able to understand me, but I decided to tell him what I was feeling.
“Granddaddy, this is Al,” I said, as I stood by his bed. “I wanted to tell you that I am thinking about becoming a pastor.”
He did not say anything for a few moments, and I was not sure that he understood what I had said. Then, he turned toward me and spoke very clearly.
“Son,” he said, “read the Bible and pray like you eat bread.”
That was all he said, and that was the last time I saw him.
At first, those words did not make much sense to me. But in time, they became a confirmation of authenticity on the call I was experiencing as well as the necessity of prayer and the Bible for the spiritual nourishment of every disciple.
During Lent, when we think about the spiritual practices that feed our faith, I can think of none that are more important than the ones that my grandfather shared with me.
In the Bible and prayer, we discover the “bread of life.” And that nurtures faith and faithfulness in our lives.
Prayer
Holy God, thank you for the wisdom of an old man. Help us this Lent and always, “to pray and read the Bible like we eat bread” that we may be your faithful disciples. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
By Rev. Dr. Al Ward, Class of 1974 & HPU’s Clergy-in-Residence
