Precious Memories

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photo_hallBy Evangelist John BJ Hall

This is the only picture in existence of my Great-grandma Jett, Grandma Stanfill, my mother Marylee Faye Hall and me.

I don’t know a lot about Great-grandma Jett, other than the fact that she reared a daughter who became the best grandmother I can imagine. Grandma Stanfill was the most marvelous lady that ever lived. She loved God with all her heart. She displayed that love in her life, day after day. She showed that love to the children of Enid, Oklahoma as she directed the work of the Child Evangelism Fellowship in that city. I would stay with her during the summer and watched her interact with the children that came into her life.

She lived about two blocks from an elementary school and held Bible club classes in her home. But this was not good enough for her or the children. She sold her home, which she had lived in for as long as I can remember. She used the money to buy a home across the street from the school. She remodeled the home into the perfect place for children to come and learn about the Lord. Her front room saw many children come to faith in Christ.

I remember the “flannel graphs” that she used while she told the Bible stories. I especially loved it when she would ask me to tell one of the stories to the children.

I can still hear her playing the old, out of tune, upright piano and singing praises to Jesus. Across the top of the piano were the pictures of missionaries and their families that she was praying for. When she wasn’t teaching children about Jesus and His great love, she was working at the church library at the Washington Avenue Bible Church.

There was a little wood cabinet tube type radio, which I have in my possession, which sat on a shelf in the kitchen. It was always tuned into a station where good ole Gospel preaching was done. One of her favorites was Dr. Theodore Epp’s “Back to the Bible” broadcast. She would cook and clean and wash dishes to the sound of Gospel preaching.

I remember the milk box that sat on her front porch. She would put empty milk bottles in it and the next morning there would be fresh milk. As a child, I thought it was magic. The milk would be used in many ways. I loved Grandma’s “French tea.” She would boil some water on the stove; pour some in a teacup, two sugar cubes and just the right amount of milk. What a treat. I thought that this must be how the fancy folks spent their afternoon.

These precious memories are part of what made me who I am today. My love for the Gospel, support of missions, prayer, and ministering to the children came from her.

Grandma Stanfill was not the only godly woman in my life. My mother was an amazing servant of the most high God as well. Remind me to tell you about her someday.

Is there someone in your life who impacted who you are today? Is there someone in your life that you could influence and encourage in the ways of the Lord?

Paul wrote to Timothy his, “son” in the ministry, about the influence of his mother and grandmother.  “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”  2 Timothy 1:5-6 (KJV) 

He then called on Timothy to “pay it forward” when he said, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”   2 Timothy 2:1-2 (KJV)

Make a commitment today to make a difference in the lives of those around you.

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On November 27, 2017
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