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Portrait of a Hero - Shanda's Grandpa

Todays Portrait of a Hero comes from: A Pause On The Path 


Never Forsaken




My Grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at a young age. Because he exercised and kept in shape, it was a long time before the symptoms became debilitating .


Grandpa attended Bible College and served as a Pastor all his life. He was a professor at a small bible college while pasturing a church and participated in traveling revivals. His knowledge of God’s Word was vast and he had large portions memorized.


The first time it became overly obvious that the disease was progressed and that help was needed was one night when he was found missing.


The police began a search and Grandpa was found in an empty plot of land, barefoot in his pajamas. He was surrounded by cult members and was preaching, pleading with them to turn to the truth. The only problem was: he was in the field alone.


Soon after that incident, Grandpa was placed in a nursing home and the Parkinson’s gradually took over his brain. He didn’t always recognize people and even introduced my mom once to my Grandmother as his second wife.


Family and medical staff would often find him preaching to crowds that did not exist. He quoted scripture after scripture, with accuracy and soundness of mind. He taught and pleaded with people to come to know the Lord.


When all his facilities left and his mind was confused and mistaken, God’s Word never left him. It was hidden in his heart and mind until the very end.


When Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always," and, “I will never forsake you,” He meant it. For when all else failed Grandpa, the comfort and words of His Savior were there to the end. There was no confusion, just the pure and unadulterated Word of God.


As comforting as this is, it is also a motivation to keep studying and memorizing the scriptures. For, should the time come that my mind fails, I know without a doubt that the Word of God is faithful, timeless and will be present until He returns to take me home.


"Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures." Psalm 119:89-90


It was a privileged to post such a heartfelt story, Thank you Shanda for Sharing it with us...
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10 comments:

  1. Thank you, Becky. I just called and read this to my mom and she cried. And added that at the end, when he could not articulate words to speak to family, he could still pray!
    God Bless!

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  2. This is inspirational and reminds me of my nephew. He was born premature at 1 lb, 6 oz and suffered severe brain damage. He has had a lifetime of surgeries and health issues, but he has always been passionate about God, Jesus and the bible. It is about the only book he reads and he has huge portions memorized. Since he was very young, he has expressed his wish to attend bible college. He will never progress beyond about a 4th grade level in most things, but he knows his bible better than anyone I have ever met. All of this with just a little over half a brain. Seriously, the damage caused nearly half of his brain to atrophy. I have always been grateful that he has the comfort of the Lord with him, every day.

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  3. Shanda, so glad you shared this with your Mom. Sometimes I forget to share special things with those dearest to me. I told my husband, CL, about your grandpa. He thought it to be a truly inspiring story.
    Thanks again...

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  4. awesome story becky! so what i needed today!!

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  5. That is one awesome story. God's word endures all!

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  6. Thank you for an amazing story!

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  7. WOW!! That is simply amazing that he could still quote scripture from the precious Word of God!!! What a precious story!

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  8. Amazing Becky Jane, the LORD has brought to memory of a dear friend from High School.She too lost a child, a daughter years ago as I lost my Craig and she now has Parkinson’s Disease. She was married for the 2nd time to another major sick man trying to find "happiness" trying to beat "being lonely" to have it end up in divorce court.The LORD put her on my mind to begin to pray for her, and start a visitation with her. No one goes to see her but I think her mom and sister. I do not know much about the disease but God has used you to confirm what he has put in my heart to do .... Please pray for me as I choose to be a doer of his command to love her and bring life to her home once again through HIM.

    Thanks as always Becky Jane ...I'm inspired by your post...BTW I am also The Joy of Denim and Lace blog.!

    One is a complete dedication to HIM the site I am posting from today is the lighter side of me and the many laughs, silly things of my life.

    Please visit me and follow that site also.
    Big Hugs Becky Jane

    http://sleepyeyedrhon.blogspot.com/
    and
    http://joybug56-denimlace.blogspot.com/

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  9. Rhonda, You are always an inspiration...I am praying that you will be guided in what is best!

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  10. I loved this story. It is true that what you really have in your heart stays in your mind.
    Thanks for sharing.

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