Stories: Grandpa
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| I typed up the following thoughts the night before my Grandpa Kendrick's funeral and ended up with an opportunity to share this story during his services with the people in attendance. I was named after him and lived next door to him almost my entire life, so I was especially saddened at his passing. However, I was strengthened during that difficult time because of a lesson that I learned while serving as a missionary in Wattwil/Ebnat-Kappel, Switzerland. I don't exactly remember all of the circumstances of what was happening during this time in my mission, but I remember finding great comfort in a passage in the Book of Mormon that has stayed with me ever since. For that reason I figured this would be as good of a place as any to post this message:
Over the past few days I have been thinking about a story told in the Book of Mormon. The Jaredites were wrapping up their final preparations to cross the waters of the sea to a new land of promise. They had exercised their faith and gathered the things they would need for the trip and had been instructed by the Lord how to build vessels to travel across the sea. The vessels were constructed so that they were weather-tight tight as to withstand the wind and waves. After seeing the vessels, the Jaredites recognized a need to have light so they would not have to make the journey in darkness. The Lord answered their prayers by causing a few small, clear stones to be lit and placed within the ends of each vessel.
Those are the details of the story that get the most attention. But as I tossed and turned early this morning I was again reminded of something I learned while reading that story about ten years ago during a trying time while serving as a missionary in Switzerland. Although I had read the passages many times before, on that occasion something else stood out as I read the 6th chapter in the book of Ether. Beginning toward the end of verse 4 we read, “…and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God. And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.” Jumping to verses 8 and 9 we read, “And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind. And they did sing praises unto the Lord.”
I love this story because it reminds me, especially in times like these, to be thankful for the wind and the waves. Sometime late last night or early this morning I was again reminded why we decided to climb into these curious vessels and take the journey of mortal life. With the right perspective we can replace viewing life as a windy, bumpy ride in a seemingly endless sea and realize it may just be a guided quest towards someplace better.
I hope to always remember why the wind is blowing in the first place.
We have felt the wind blow a little harder since last Thursday morning and many of us are feeling a little sea sick from being tossed around by the waves. But the conditions have caused us to take a little more time to remember what a great man J.E. “Ted” Kendrick was and be a little more grateful for his loving influence in our lives. As I have been remembering my grandpa and mourning his passing, I have found a renewed desire to be a little bit better at remembering where I need to be going.
Grandpa lived an honorable life with a great sense of purpose and a wonderful sense of humor. He went through life with a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face. He had the ability to fully enjoy whatever he was doing. This outlook on life became apparent to me when some of my friends told me they saw him roasting marshmallows while he was burning the overgrown weeds in the ditch.
He rarely passed up an opportunity to express his love for those around him. He was honest, humble and hard-working. He was a gentle leader and a spiritual giant. I was always proud to have him as my grandpa and will be forever grateful to share his name. The wind and waves I have felt over the past few days have directed me to try to stand a little taller and lengthen my stride a little longer in honoring my grandpa’s great name. I am comforted to know I will see him again, but I will sure miss him in the meantime…
R. Ted Kendrick
March 19, 2007 |
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