Quite recently I had the bittersweet experience of saying goodbye to my 91-year-old uncle. It was bittersweet because the sadness was mixed with great memories and the comfort of knowing that he loved God and was committed to Christ with all his heart.
When I remember my uncle I am struck by the reality that in many ways he didn’t fit the model of piety that many Christians use as a litmus test of faith and faithful Christian living. Still, I learned a lot of lessons about life, love and faith from my Uncle Mack, and I thought I’d share them here.
- You can be a faithful Christian and still enjoy a beer while watching a Braves game. My uncle could never quite understand why, despite his active church membership and love for all people that went beyond the lip service common to most believers, there were among the faithful, those who insisted he be a teetotaler as a witness of his faith.
- Love that doesn’t act isn’t love at all. My uncle loathed the tendency of many Christians to feign concern and offer prayers to people who needed food in their refrigerator. Showing your faith by your works and all that good stuff.
- You can be a Christian and still enjoy a good clean joke. He never understood the lack of laughter that characterized many church people.
- Fatherhood is serious business, but your kids can take the medicine a lot better if they see their father’s lighter side from time to time.
- You can love your country and serve it, even if there are a lot of things that need to change. Having served in WW2, he always had a zeal for his country and love for the military and those who serve in it.
- Dancing is not a sin, even dancing to the likes of Frankie Beverly and Maze, which he would still do, even at age 89, if he heard the song Joy and Pain.
- Church isn’t a place you go to out of religious duty. Christ called us to get our hands dirty, serving others.
- Never be ashamed of who you are and where you came from. Past trials are part of the tapestry that make us. Just don’t forget to preface your testimony with, “If it had not been for the Lord…”
I love that my uncle, a devoted husband of 60 years and father of 10, left a strong legacy and a lifetime of memories for his family to look back on and smile. I will miss Uncle Mack.
I learned a lot from him, and after reading this, I hope you have too.
May his memory be a blessing. This is a beautiful tribute.
There is a saying in my religion that we like to concern ourselves with the state of other people’s souls, and the state of our own bodies. Whereas what we ought to concern ourselves with is the state of our own souls, and the state of other people’s bodies. (I.e., don’t give a sermon to a man who needs a sammich.) Sounds like your Uncle was a real mensch that way.
Thanks, MizDarwin. There are two things you could never be around my uncle. The first is without a smile, and the second is without something you really needed if it was in his power to give it.
Amen. I want my obituary to read like that, except they’ll have to pencil in “six” for the number of kids and “Cubs” for “Braves,” and eliminate the WW2 part.
He sounds like a great guy! It will be fun to meet him up in heaven someday. Sometimes we forget how to enjoy ourselves, I can’t imagine life without dancing.
Thanks Bubba and Sis. It has helped me in my Christian walk to be influenced by people who encapsulate the true spirit of Christian integrity rather than simple being concerned with religious posturing.
Jesus wasn’t an ascetic by any stretch, and he didn’t seem all too interested in being cloistered away from the people who most needed the gospel. While I fully appreciate much of what has driven the more orthodox, conservative Christian transition, I think we need to be careful.
My uncle managed to love God, love people, and enjoy life to the fullest all at the same time. It’s a valuable lesson for someone like me, given to swinging religious pendulums.
This was a lovely memorial to your uncle, Terry. May we all live the kinds of lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that might leave this sort of legacy and testimony when we pass. Blessings, friend!
Your uncle sounds like such a breath of fresh air! I hope that he was seen in life as a man of authority and worthy of respect. He doesn’t sound very flashy or grabby for power, but he sounds like the sensible sort I’d love to see as a local church elder, etc.
Prayers for your family as you go through the grieving process, Terry.
I learned a lot from him, and after reading this, I hope you have too.
Indeed.
It is amazing how the Lord continues to teach from the lives of those who have gone before.
May He comfort and continue to draw you close during this time.
What a gentleman! You were blessed to have had him guide you, and have blessed us by allowing us to read about him today. May the Lord’s comfort enfold you at this time, and bring you the joy that passes all understanding.
I’m sorry for your loss, but rejoicing for his life and his new location. He sounds like a solid, wonderful man – the kind I’d like for a neighbor or a relative.
And may his tribe increase,
Julie
I cried. It took me a few days to read this because I knew it would. What a beautiful man. I know you will miss him, and I’m the good kind of jealous that you had the opportunity to know him.
knew “I” would, sorry
A fitting tribute, Elspeth. The world, and the church especially, needs more Uncle Macks.
Thanks you guys, for appreciating what I did here.
My uncle was an amazing guy. My husband and I were both noting that there are few people in life we encounter regularly who almost always leave you with a smile. He was one of those, even when he was reprimanding us, which he did if we deserved it.
I particularly like the second and the last two points. Your uncle was a wise wise man.