Today my grandpa died. He was 98 years old and lived a full life. He was a college president, hymnologist and conductor. To some he was husband, father, prof, mentor and friend. But to me, he was mostly just grandpa.

Grandpa has given me a number of things over the course of my life. He taught me the value of living below the level of my means. He taught me the joy of thoughtful giving. I learned from his example in taking prayer seriously. He taught me the joy of great music and the importance of the meaning behind the music.

He passed on to me George Müller’s method for discerning the will of God – something I use for nearly every serious decision in my life. He taught me to value good food and the value of eating together in an orderly and honoring fashion. He taught me respect for those things which deserve respect.

All of these things are profoundly valuable to me. However, what I value most and what I will cherish until the day I see him on the other side is his decision to follow Christ – to be fully committed to Him and His direction in his life.

Today, Grandpa crossed from life to life. And that, quite frankly, makes all the difference. David writes in the Psalms that this life is like a flower that flourishes and then is gone (Psalm 103). The “death part” for me was the last few years of watching him suffer as his mind and body deteriorated. Today is a celebration of victory over death and the start of new life.

In 1996 Grandpa wrote a personal reflection on his then 85 years of life.  He wrote of six crucial points in his life: Family, Church, Christ, Colleges, Companions and Career. The first two he felt were chosen for him, the latter four he chose for himself. He wrote, “Choosing Christ affected the other three decisions in profound ways.” And toward the end of his reflection he summarized by saying, “I am convinced that when we are fully committed to follow Christ He does provide guidance and the qualifications to accomplish His purposes. He does not promise us a life without problems, but He does supply the grace to work our way through them. As time passes we see more clearly the pattern that God has been weaving all along . . . The Christian life is a life of minimum regrets.”

One of my favorite hymns is, “Be Thou My Vision.” Grandpa arranged the harmony for this great hymn when he selected it to be included in the Free Methodist hymnal. Last night as he made his final push toward the finish line, we sang this song to encourage him.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

The victory is won, Grandpa. You made it! Enter in to your eternal reward. And look for me at one of the Eastern Gates when someday soon I will be joining you there.

With much love and gratitude,

Jonathan R. Schoenhals