Last week, the father of one of my life-long friends passed away somewhat suddenly. It shocked and saddened me to hear the news. I went down for the viewing, and stayed the night to attend the funeral. It was a great tribute to a great man. Lyle has been my closest friend since we were both 12 years old, and growing up, we spent a lot of time at each other's homes. I always loved and respected his parents immensely, and my parents always loved Lyle like another son.
Lyle's dad was always very encouraging and supportive. Lyle and I both participated in several sports, and Mr. Branton never missed an event, it seemed. He was always in the bleachers, cheering on his son, and me as well. In fact, I remember many wrestling meets where he and my dad would sit together, yelling all through Lyle's match, then all through mine! They would both be hoarse the day after. Fun memories.
"Mr. B" was also a great man of God. The times I spent the night at their home, I sat in on their nightly family devotionals. He apparently held these daily or nightly, until all 3 kids had moved out on their own. That's convicting to me- I'm in the ministry, and I feel so inconsistent in pulling my own family together for Bible/prayer times!
Mr. B not only walked the walk, he talked the talk. Everywhere he was- whether at the family store, out on business, at a restaurant, or in the prisons he so often chaplained in- Mr. B found a way to share the love of Christ with people. It was not uncommon for him to help lead a person to Christ, right wherever they were! And being a Gideon, he always had a Bible to give. Even in his waning years, in and out of hospitals with various health issues, he shared the love of Christ with people, in word and deed.
That heritage has been passed on to his family. Lyle is a strong Christian, as are his sister and brother. In fact, all the grandkids are now believers as well. All due in no small part to the life and witness of Mr. Lamar Branton. He followed God, and brought others along.
May I always strive to leave a legacy like that- in my family, and anyone God brings across my path. In the end, it's all that will really matter.