Addison & my Granddaddy ~ August 2007

Today my Granddaddy, C.B. Powell, went to be with the Lord. It was a very sad day to be sure. And yet, it was also a day in which I was able to rejoice as I thought of the man he was, the hope that he had, and the faith that he lived by.

My granddaddy is no longer a stranger here on earth. He is now in the presence of Christ, his Savior, who knew him before he was ever born; who formed his smiley eyes and ornery personality: who gave him a gentle spirit and loving heart; who made him a man of integrity; who thought of him as He laid down His life on the cross; who provided him with redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of his trespasses, according to the riches of His grace; who sealed him with the Holy Spirit of promise; who weeps with us now in our loss.

While my Granddaddy was so very special to us, he is even more treasured by Christ who shed His blood to cover his sins and provided a way for him to spend eternity in heaven. Thank you Lord that by Your provision I can have peace about my Granddaddy's death and confidence that I will see him again one glorious day in the future!

My Granddaddy was unique in many ways. He was man of few words. However, when he spoke everyone listened. I think he truly understood James 1:19 ~ be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. And often when you were sure he wasn't listening to a conversation he'd chime in with something very insightful or else something quite funny. He was great at one-liners!

Granddaddy was so easy to be around. I loved sitting outside with him. We'd often be surrounded by a comfortable silence that eventually would be filled by his gentle humming. The fact that he was a loving man was evident by how he treated my Granny and everyone for that matter.

Yet here I am on the verge of 30 and after all these years what spoke volumes to me about my Granddaddy was how he conducted himself in these past many months. Though I was unable to go visit him, I would hear of the struggles of his failing body and of the challenges he faced on a daily basis. And no matter who would be passing on the details, I would also hear of how sweet he was being, how patient he was, and how he never complained. He chose to be a light in his darkest hours. He will be so dearly missed!