Many of you probably already know this, but for those of you who don’t, my dear friend, Jerry, passed away and went to be with the Lord this past Tuesday afternoon (June 21). To say that he will be missed is a gross understatement. His impact on my life bears the thumbprint of God. Stay tuned for a special tribute INSIDE in the days to come. It is my hope to continue to make all of these Insides available for as long as I have a website, but ultimately that decision will be left to the family. It is so fitting that the last thing he wrote was a tribute to his wife. Jerry’s love for his wife and family is a model for every one of us. Please keep Pat and the children in your prayers. Jerry, you made me long for Heaven a bit more this week! — Grant MacDonald

We have new readers all the time, so a bit of history. I married my high school sweetheart, Joyce, in 1960. We began planting churches and began a family. Tim came first, then Kathleen, finally Mark.

In 1978, after 15 years of diabetic complications, Joyce went home. I had three kids (age 17, 15, and 13). It was a time of treading deep waters for our family. However, God was faithful! I’ll never understand (outside of His sovereignity) the “why” and may never know. When I get to Heaven, it won’t make any difference.

Not long after, God brought Pat into my life. She was beautiful, sang like an angel, but, above all else, had a deep, abiding love for Jesus. Her heart centered on serving Him. She wasn’t at all sure she wanted to marry me. She wanted to go to college, learn to play the guitar, serve the Lord. I promised her that IF she married me, I would make sure all those things (and more) would happen.

She finished college (WHILE helping me run the Teen Center in Sarasota) at the top of her class at the Univ of South Florida. I had a man build her a guitar which she plays quite well. She did an album that has blessed countless folks. Most importantly, she became a well loved Mom to our three kids. Yep, there were some difficult adjustments, but, again, God was faithful.

I’ve watched Pat grow and grow and grow in her walk with the Lord and ministry to others. In spite of more than 16 years of chronic illness, she hung in there.

I have no idea why I should be so blessed to have two of the finest ladies in the world as my wife. However, I am grateful for the privilege.

Why all this gushy, mushy, touchy-feeley stuttering around? Today is our 26th wedding anniversary! Thanks, Pat, for being there for me and allowing me to be your husband.

BTW, where we lived in Sarasota, FL, love bugs are a pesky fact of life. They got really active a few days before our wedding in the back yard of the church we attended. The day before the wedding, I went over to the lovely spot under the spreading oak trees and rebuked the love bugs in the name of Jesus. Not a single bug showed up that afternoon. We had several hundred people from members of the Christian Cycle Club with whom we road bikes to ministers to all folks in between. What a testimony to the goodness of the Lord.

Thanks for allowing me to go on and on for a bit.

He IS Lord!
PapaJ