What if....it really is that simple?

So - 2:00 pm at the United Church of Christ in Grant, MI. Memorial Service for Ferris Gragg. 93 years old. Annabelle (his wife) and this beautiful family were greeting people and making sure all final details were taken care of.

They were married 72 years.

Dave was sharing at the service so he sat towards the front of the church. He sat with Steve, who was a high school friend, who introduced Dave to the Lord, and is just a great guy with a wonderful family. I went to school with is wife Jacque - we stood up with eachother when each married. After many years of missionary service with YWAM, they returned to the Newaygo area to continue raising their family - just good folks who love God and live it - that sums it up. On my hero list.

I found a spot in the back of the church and sat down but heard a familiar voice behind me and looked and discovered one of my high school teachers who I had not seen in many many years. Sherry was a great teacher and a Christian. She was a wonderful example to us students who were searching in the late 60's and early 70's. It was a troubled time in the country - and there was a renewal taking place in and out of the 4 walls of the church. Many of us came to Christ during this time and found our way to a home Bible study on Friday nights at the home of Ferris and Annabelle Gragg.

Now, this day, at the Memorial Service, many gathered to say "thank-you."

Ferris and Annabelle opened their home to people not only on Friday night, but at various times.. different "searching souls - hungry for God", would stay at the house and there find love, prayer, guidance, and widsom.

Hearing various people share - Grandchildren, Steve, Dave, Bishop Matt ...... I realized what a huge legacy this man left in the lives of so many people. And all this from a beautiful huge old farmhouse on Colonial Drive between Grant and Newaygo, MI.

As I sat listening to people share, I said to myself, "It really is this simple."

Take away the glitz and glamour...

Take away the podiums, the best platforms, best clothes, best music....

Take away the Harley's....sorry, guys, I just laugh at this stuff sometimes. My Harley days are over and I know it. But hey, ride on....I salute you, my friends.

Take away twitter - "Just letting you know how busy I am - 2 funerals, 3 counseling sessions, 2 weddings, work out at the gym....and Starbucks."

Take away the "excellence of ministry" mindset that can rob - because it may look the best but is nothing more than emptiness in many ways...

And it really goes back to this:

Someone simply there....

Loving...

Accepting...

There to laugh in the good times and embrace you in the hard times....

Someone just saying, "It will be OK."

Living a life of simple honesty and integrity - hardworking... pure grass roots America..

Sharing wisdom... teaching God's Word - simple, yet profound...

Providing a haven where people can grow and learn....

Encouraging people and sending them out to continue their walk with God - never asking for anything in return... they would have been embarrassed to ask for or expect anything. Yet, God richly richly blessed them.

Kind words...

Always lifting up and giving glory to Jesus... always trusting Him...

These folks lived a simple, but great life. And it was so evident as I looked at the rows of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

I find God so neat at times. He will take you back to your roots to help you recall how you began - remind you what it is really all about. I remembered it.. I am not sure I lived it as well as I should have.

I am very thankful for my spiritual roots. And I am reminded that it began not in a Bible School in Tulsa, but in a farmhouse in Michigan, with wonderful people who were "there."

Ferris on a Friday night, sharing the Bible - and encouraging us to share what we learned that week from the Lord.

Ferris playing the piano... and of course, Annabelle - still there with a hug, smile, kind words...

And by no means were Ferris and Annabelle the only ones. That day I saw Dave and Barb Kimble, E.B. and Babs Caraway, Bishop Matt (we called him Brother Matt), Sherry, Steve, Jacque, ....and others that were not there, but were very much a part of those early years of our walk in Jesus.

Keep it simple, folks....I think that is all people really want and need.