I loved my grandfather Leonard.  My Dad’s father passed away before I was born which I think made my relationship with my Mom’s Dad all the more special.  Leonard was schooled at the University of Minnesota and was a well-read man,  which came in handy, seeing as he was a traveling book salesman in the 1920’s and 30’s.  It was on such an itinerant business venture that he was invited home for dinner after church to the Larson household.  This not only provided him a fine, home cooked meal, but it began the wooing of his life long sweetheart and soon to be wife, Mildred.  They had four children together, my Mom followed by her three younger brothers.  They were a close family who loved to spend time together.  Over their dining room table hung a picture of a grandfather giving thanks for soup and bread with his Bible close by. 

Some of my earliest memories are spending the night at my grandparents’ house during the winter months in Minnesota.  I remember being woken up in the middle of the night by my grandpa so we could drive and pick up my grandma who was finishing up her swing shift at a local nursing home.  The six-foot high snow banks lining the road, the squeak of the suspension as we drove through the deep darkness, and the bewilderment that during the whole trip, not one word was spoken.   You see my grandfather was a man of few words.  That was to be expected while on one of the memorable early morning fishing trips I was privileged to experience with him.  But Leonard, being true to his Swedish heritage, was not in the habit of using more words than necessary.  So when he spoke, I was intent on listening and learning.  

He was a master craftsman.  He made so many useful items from scratch that I was convinced he could make anything.  I still have a homemade frame he designed and assembled for a picture my mother created.  It was rare for a room at his home church not to have homemade furniture or shelving crafted by Leonard.  He loved to use his talents for the Lord.  He had a very meticulous nature about him that served essential in his creative exploits.  One example of his precise, organizational practices was given to me by my Mom.  It is a copy of a small calendar book that was handed out as an advertisement by a local steel company in Minnesota.  He took that calendar and turned it into his journal.  

This repurposed journal is where Leonard recorded his brief service in the United States Army in 1918.  World War I was raging and Leonard’s brother was drafted into the Army.  In those days, as I understand it, a brother could take the spot of his sibling and fulfill their service.  My great uncle was married and had a young son, so my grandfather did what made sense to him and took his spot in the Army.  In this “journal” he recorded things he wanted to remember such as the serial number on his issued rifle, also the number on his bayonet. He recorded the number of clothing items he was issued including sizes, his U.S. Army serial number, and also the amount and dates of his paychecks.  In case you are wondering, his first full month’s pay as a private was $18.60.  The reason this is so meaningful for me is because I have the same tendencies regarding the organizing and recording of information most people would regard as trivial.  

He included “current” events such as the signing of Armistice, which was later proven to be a rumor.  He recorded that the German Army was given 72 hours to sign the Armistice or the war would continue.  Then he recorded the Armistice signing on Monday November 11, 1918.  He also documented that he got sick with Spanish Influenza and was confined to the infirmary at Fort Snelling for two months.  For some reason I feel closer to him knowing that he got sick with the influenza pandemic of 1918 and I recently have had the privilege of being delivered from being COVID positive over 100 years later!  The bravery of my grandfather has been a wonderful example for me, even more potent during this present time of global pandemic.   

The most impactful recordings though in this “journal” are the passages of Scripture he logged.  My thoughts go back to an 18-year-old private on the precipice of war desiring to remember where his true hope is found.  He wrote: “when lonely or fearful read Matthew 6:19-34 and Luke 15.  When in trouble or sorrow read John 14.  Assurance of God’s mercy read John 10 and Hebrews 11,” and many others.  He even thought of someone finding his “journal” on his body while on the battlefront.   “If you are not a Christian read John 3:16, Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 25:31-46, and Romans 10:9-11.”  Leonard knew God’s Word.  I am confident he had no idea the impact his heart for the Lord would have on others, especially his grandson 100 years in the future!  

So as I reminisce on the commonalities between my grandfather and myself, most recently the faith building exercise of illness during a global pandemic, I am encouraged with legacy lessons he has left.  Live your life with servant hearted boldness to the Lord.  Rely on God and His Word to sustain, comfort, and instruct in all aspects of life on this earth.   Make sure you use your talents for the Lord’s work.  And above all else do the right thing, even if there are no guarantees of the massive impact it will have on your future.