In Memory of My Grandpa: Rev. Warner B. Keller (Revised)

 
I’ve spent countless hours with my grandparents. When I was young, it seems like I stayed with them for a week at a time during the summers, and for many a weekend during the school year. For a few years, I think that I knew the children's workers at their church better than those at my own church. Many grandparents shower their grand children with expensive gifts, but not my grandparents. They showered me with devoted quantities of time – in the every day life kind of way.

When I think of my grandpa, I think of him here – in a church, behind the pulpit. I loved hearing his voice preaching; this memory gives me comfort. During those summer visits, I attended more weddings and funerals than I could ever re-count – of people I will never personally know. In fact, one summer in Omak, I had the traditional wedding ceremony memorized. I remember this because I dutifully practiced my new-found knowledge on the dogs.

I also think of my grandpa puttering around. He enjoyed so many ordinary things. He loved animals, gardening, boating, the beach, making things with his hands, and cooking. He made the best clam chowder and the best apple cider! I am sure his oyster stuffing was really good too, but I was too scared to try it! I remember my grandpa’s stories; he was the best story-teller (and joke-teller). I loved his “Indian Stories” and would repeatedly ask him to re-tell them. His stories always vividly illustrated how faith in God provided for and protected people. Grandpa showered me with everyday experiences that I will never forget!

When I think of my grandpa, I remember a man devoted to God and his family. As a child, every morning my grandparents would begin their days with devotions together. I didn’t appreciate this time so much until I grew older. But, now I know, from experience, that their prayers were consistent, and specific, and full of tenderhearted love for each member of our family - no matter what kind of choices we were making at the time! I am certain that my grandpa’s initial days in heaven are filled with meeting one after another, after another – people whose lives he touched because of his deep devotion to God. As I look to my aunts and uncles and cousins here today (and those that are not here in person), I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Grandpa wants nothing more than for each of us to experience God as personally, and as fully, as he did on this earth. My Grandpa was a self-educated man; he did not need a fancy degree to know God, to preach His Truth, and to share God with others. He showered us with this consistent example.

On Monday morning, Grandma and I had devotions together. It was a memorable experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I shared with her a few things from my Bible study, and I shared two Bible verses that I thought she could use at this difficult life transition. Then, she asked me to pray. She said, “Heidi, I love to hear you pray.” I agreed to pray, but only if she would pray, too – because I love to hear my grandma pray. As we finished, I said, “Grandma, I want to pray for each member of our family just like you and Grandpa used to do.” I had no plans to do this; I know it was the prompting of the Holy Spirit. So, I prayed specifically for each one of you – each son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great-grandson, great-daughter, and all the spouses. Whew, that is a lot of people! Later Grandma said, “Heidi, I think God has given you a burden for the family like He gave Grandpa.” In my mind, there could be no greater privilege.



Dear Family, I can’t stand here today and guarantee the same level of devotion to you that Grandpa exemplified, but I can tell you that I’ve experienced his example and I learn best by example. Grandpa has showered us with a living model of Christlikeness on earth. He showered us with the gift of love for God and family – it is gift that has no price tag; a gift that no one can choose to simply purchase. He lived well, and touched many lives for the glory of God. Grandpa also died well, and touched many lives for the glory of God. I know that as Grandpa stood before God he heard the voice of God saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And, this is how I will remember my grandpa.