Great-Grandpa's Memoirs

When I was little, my mother said very little about her childhood.  Her own mother died of tuberculosis at age 31, leaving this 4-year-old and three older children.  The pain of losing a mother she hardly knew stayed sharp and fresh, quickly bringing tears to Mom's eyes even long after she became a grandmother.  One of the only pleasant memories I remember her sharing centered around what she and her siblings were told when entering their grandparents' home:  "Your grandpa's writing his memoirs now, so you must be very quiet."  Someone must have conveyed a sense of partnership to her, as if her silence helped him produce something wonderful and important.  The whole thing seemed mysterious to my young mind.  What in the world were memoirs, anyway, and why was this memory such a bright spot for my mother?

Two years ago, I saw and read for the first time the Memoirs of C.W. Stone, dated November 1, 1935.  I found the history of this man whose blood I share fascinating, hard to put down.  But it was the words of his introduction that struck a chord:  "Dedicated to (my) descendants of all generations, even until the end of the world, with the hope it will be edited and preserved...In these writings I shall endeavor to give valuable advice, suggestions, and instructions so that all who read may be greatly benefited."  This was his legacy, painstakingly written by hand.  With purpose he shared not only dates and facts, but his belief in God and an invitation to readers to join him in the Christian walk.

My mother was eight years old when her grandfather finished writing his life story.  A few years later she gave her heart to Jesus.  In her teen years, she dreamed of being a journalist, and although it never became a career, the urge to write stayed with Mom.  Just like C.W. Stone, her favorite subjects were family and the love of God; like his work, hers won't be found in libraries or on some blog, being instead, carefully tucked away with other cherished family momentos.

Ending his memoirs, my great-grandfather encouraged family members who would live after him to seek God, for this was "more important than anything else...We should commit ourselves with all that we are and all that we have to God, and become His willing and obedient servants."  As I write in this season of my life, it is a point of obedience, a response to an undeniable longing placed in me by my Creator.  He's using my "voice" to share His love with my children, grandchildren and others.  On earth, I have no more encouraging and constant cheerleader than Mom!  And I can't help wondering if Great-Grandpa Stone is in the front row of my cloud of witnesses in Heaven, shouting, "Don't quit!  You can do it!  Do what the Spirit tells you!"

C.W. Sir, you said you wanted us to edit and preserve your memoirs.  Mom was inspired by you and did what she could.  That goes for me, too; my edition is ongoing.   I want to say thank you...thanks for everything.