Sadly, verbose words escape me as I try to encapsulate my thoughts for you and the impact your life has had for my entire life. How is it possible to sum up over seven decades of abundant life in the confines of these few paragraphs? I write this knowing that you cannot read this but hoping that through God, my message of immense gratitude find their way to you. I wish I could have told you this in person but I was too young back then to ever grasp the magnitude of the influence you had on my life.
Your devotion to the ministry has saved countless souls, converted thousands to a life of love instead of a life of sin. My own mother accepted Christ at a revival you lead some 40 years ago, long before she would know your name on a more personal level. I've seen her Bible given on the day of her salvation and have seen your name written just below hers along the "Pastor" line. At that time, only God knew that your last name would eventually belong to my mother as well once she married your son 7 years later.
As a father, you raised a man who I can safely say is the greatest father on earth. You showed him the meaning of fearing God, of raising spiritual children and of loving a family unconditionally. Not only did you give him life but you taught my dad lessons of fatherhood that he employed when raising my brother and me. Those same lessons have been passed on to us, lessons we both promise to give to our children such that your great legacy will continue. One day, I will sit down with my children and recount the memories I remember of you, read them the story you wrote which has brought me much comfort in life, tell them of the grandfather that spoiled me with praise yet taught me how to love like Christ.
Bailey Thompson, pastor, grandpa... Please know that even though I never said thanks in person, I mean it now more than ever.
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