Hello, my name is Rebecca Besser and I am Edward Maas's Granddaughter, one of the things I am most proud to be able to call myself.
I jsut wanted to take a few minutes to share some fond memories and valuable lessons I have learned from my Grandpa.
One of my favorite memories was calling my Grandpa on his birthday every year. I was usually the last to call and to be honest; I liked it that way because he would always say :Now, I've heard from all my girls." I always felt so special. He called Grandma, his four daughters and two granddaughters, His Girls. He always said it with such pride but it was I that was proud.
I also loved to hear Grandpa talk. Whenever he would start to talk I just wanted everyone to be quiet so I didn't miss anything. See, I knew that when Grandpa spoke one of two things were about to happen. Either he was about to speak truth and wisdom that I didn't want to miss or he was about to say something so funny! The thing about Grandpa is that whenever he would tell a joke he would just sit there with a smirk on his face as the entire room would crack up laughing. He would never join in and laugh at his own jokes. He always made me smile.
There are so many lessons I have learned from my Grandpa. Lessons that came from listening to him talk about things like his first job picking up potatoes on a farm; to lessons I saw just by the way he lived his life. Lessons about working hard, tithing, giving to the Lord and about marriage. But the most important lesson I learned from my Grandpa is the one I wish to share with you today.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20, King James Version)
My Grandfather lived this till the day he went to be with the Lord. Grandpa spoke the Truth of the Word of God at any cost. He was not affriad to offend. He spoke the Truth to all he could. Christians, listen, we need to speak the Word of God to all who will hear. We must not be affraid to offend. Our nation needs to hear it more then ever. Let us live uo to the Great Commission like my Grandfather did and as Christ instructed us to do so.
If there be anyone here that does not know of my Grandfathers Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ, as your personal Savior, I pray that today will be the day you come to know Him. If Grandpa was here, he would pull you aside and share with you John 3:16
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, King James Version)
He would then encouarge you to read the entire gospel of John. So that is my challenge to you today.
Isaw Grandpa a few weeks ago and when it was time to go we both knew it would be the last time here on earth that we would see each other again but Grandpa would not say goodbye. For he knew that it wasn't really goodbye. He simply said "See ya later, gal." So, Grandpa, I love you and I'll see you later.
Thank you.
