The Life Of A God Man

It's not what he does, or what he has, that expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.

It's a special thing to look back on the life of a loved one ... And yet, so often, a hard thing to do. 

Uncle Jim - more often "just" Uncle - did a lot of things. But the things he did didn't define him. He was a farmer, a soldier, a teacher, a coach, an uncle. He didn't have a lot of things. But the things he had seemed worth more than most. He had a little house and a modest farm.  But what he was? Well that was the best thing of all.

What he was, for 100 years,  was a God man - and that influenced everything he did and had.

You see, Uncle Jim was a farmer who took pride in his animals and land. He cared for them diligently, and taught others to do the same. He trained horses with love and a steady hand, and taught his nieces and nephews how to ride. He did things his own way - for better or worse - and rigged up many a "Rinehart gate." 

He was a solider who served valiantly and had many a story to tell. Perhaps my favorite was of the time he was wounded and an also wounded fellow soldier helped him to the medical unit. "We leaned on each other." He'd say. 

He was a teacher and coach who encouraged many youths to try a little harder, run a little faster, and play the game with the right head on.

He was an Uncle who loved those who were both genetically his nieces and nephews, and answered to  "Uncle" from (and served as Uncle to) many others, too.

That little house he had? It was tiny, but it had treasures galore. A typewriter, the comfiest chair, and always cookies in the cookie jar. The farm, a child's wonderland he'd gladly show you around (and probably put you to work on). 

Oh, he wasn't perfect. He had a temper that could appear if you pushed enough - that Rooster that chased Heather and I every time we went for eggs only chased Uncle Jim once. And, I'm sure he made his fair sure of mistakes ... I just don't remember them because what imperfections he had were far outshined by the good that he was. 

He spoke with wisdom and a positive outlook. He could calm any horse, cow, or kid with his presence. He loved people - and family - fiercely. He worked harder than most and outworked most men well into his upper years. He was fiercely strong and hard headed and equally gentle and loving. 

His life was governed by the Bible and his faith ... And he fully expected that his families would be too. He didn't mind to tell you if you ought to be doing something differently - and then he'd help you get there if you'd let him. He didn't need much here, because he knew he'd have it all in Heaven. 

Ive never met another person quite like Uncle Jim, and I probably never will. Yet, his legacy lives on. See, the life of a God man can't help but impact and influence those around him. And thanks to this one God man, there are a whole lot of other men who are a little bit more like him. His neices and nephews, cousins, friends ... He rubbed off on them. He made them better, and they are going on and doing the same. 

Not by what he does, or by what he has, but by what he is - the worth of the God man is great - and his worth stays alive through all who were blessed to love him.