my grandfather

Frederick Eithel Baker, Jr.
July 21, 1921-January 26, 2008

I am so thankful for the time with my grandfather. I am also thankful for the time with my family as we gathered to celebrate his life. My grandfather knew Jesus as his Savior and so is now in heaven experiencing joy we can't comprehend. He had been in so much pain and now he is free from that! He is worshiping and fellowshipping with God!! Wow.
My grandparents were married for 64 years and I am so very thankful for their legacy. Grandpa called my grandmother "my girl" up until the time of his death. He deeply loved her and we knew it. They were each other's~gifts from the heavenly Father. They weathered the storms of life and celebrated the good times together. They built a family together. They served the Lord and His church together. They traveled together. They even worked together.
There are so many precious memories of times with them in my mind. We had a lot of good times. Family meant a lot to Grandpa. A good name meant a lot to him. In his obituary we read that he was proud that a handshake was what he worked with. He meant what he said. At his funeral we learned that the Ark and other portions of the Bible dealing with building were especially meaningful to him. He was a builder. God's word is living and active and spoke to my grandfather's heart. He appreciated that Jesus is the foundation upon which we must build. He is the cornerstone.
My grandfather was ready for death. He knew whom He had believed-Jesus, Savior of all who receive Him; the Way, the Truth, the Life. He believed that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. I believe this with my whole heart too. This is where my hope, my purpose, and my joy come from.
My grandparents took me to church, Sunday school, & Vacation Bible School when we stayed with them because they knew that our spiritual foundation must be laid in the truth of God's word. I am so thankful.
They took us to the beach, fishing, swimming, camping, to Disney World, and many other places. They made time for us and for our family to get together.

Grandpa had a poem in his Bible titled "I'm Free". Here is an excerpt:
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all...
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.


After Grandpa's funeral, we were driving around when the following song came on the radio. God is so good!

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand