In the slope of the hill, Grandpa had a fruit garden covering an entire small hill, few kilometers away from home. Pineapple, mango, fig, jack fruit, etc. are grown in the garden.
Three small huts are built in the slope. To save time and energy, sometimes, we spent the night in those huts. Grandpa prepared meal using the fresh herbs found inside the garden.
When the dark night descended, Grandpa lit a candle and spread a sheet nearby. Before we could sleep, Grandpa told Bible stories, interestingly and very accurately.
Among the three small huts, the middle was designed to be a small church; a church for small time day-workers and visitors. With a wooden cross mounted on top the roof, there were; Hymn books, Bible, a mat to be spread for kneeling, and a drum – made of animal hide or skin.
When morning has broken Grandpa started his days praising the Lord. By himself, he sang several hymns beating the drum, which we also joined when we get up, first thing first in the morning.
Luscious fruits, ready to eat, welcomed us. ‘The Lord ripen these fruits for you’, he said. As a child, we believed that God somehow personally ripen those fruits for us. Grandpa told Bible stories and sometimes he would sing along as we work. We worked in the garden till lunch.
Lunch time was always special. We gathered in the small church, kneel on the mat and spent some time praying. Grandpa opened his Bible and read portion of the book with further explanation. Songs of praise followed which were sung with great enthusiasm. In this way, we are happy and get our strength renewed.
The sound of the drum can be heard by several farmers nearby us. I remember some farmers joining us as we prayed. Others took it as a sign of ‘lunchtime’ and called for noontime rest.
As the evening approached, we spent our time giving thanks inside the small hut. Sometimes, as we rush for home, Grandpa would sing hymnals throughout the way till we reached home.
As far as I know, Grandpa like to commune with God. He spent his days with his Savior. His happiness increase the more he commune with God.
And in that way, Grandpa also instilled the gospel in our heart. Now, when I was about to relate Bible stories for my children, I can hear my Grandpa’s word-to-word narration of the great men and women in the Bible.
Although we lived there no more, the place becomes a reminiscence of our childhood days. When we planted seeds of a tree, we spare time for thanksgiving and prayer.
From what I knew and observed, Grandpa commune with God in any circumstances, which becomes a valuable lesson to his grandchildren.
I seldom see Grandpa jaw-dropping and staying low. He was always happy. The more we commune with God the more we become happy.
Whenever I get the chance to visit him, my heart was delighted. In those moments, first thing I heard before I gather myself up from my bed would be my Grandpa reading the Bible out loud.
He was old now but he’d spent the morning meditating on God’s word, first thing first.
Grandpa imparted priceless life’s lesson for his family without saying a word.
Great tribute post to your grandpa
Thank you! thank you for going through the post.