They had all gathered together, most of the seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren of John and Betty Jo Worden. Surrounded by friends and family, "Grandfather", as he was known to everyone, sat in the corner of the kitchen at Aunt Dianne's home. Sitting at the table, flanked by nephew's Jack Smith and Louis McDaniel, along with Son in laws Eddie Smith and Ted Forrest, old Jack Worden began to tell a story.
The story began as an evaluation of his life. JH told of how God had blessed him and kept him through the good and the bad. He noted the number of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had been born, all without defect or abnormality. He discussed how God's graceful hand was upon him even before he knew Him, providing protection as the then young man moved through life in search of "peace." Grandfather described the scene in which he found the peace he was in search of. He told of his cousin Shirley Stanley approaching him in Rock Hill, SC and inviting him to church. Like many good men, Grandfather dodged his cousin's invitation, citing a variety of reasons why he could not accompany her to the church service. Finally, though, after two months or so of inviting, Grandfather gave in. "Betty Jo, get ready to go to church. I've run out of good excuses."
Grandfather recounted how he felt the presence of God as he entered the building, saw God's holy anointing on the man of God (Brother Mike Hanley), and responded to a call for salvation by coming to an altar. It was at that point that grandfather "confessed Jesus as his personal lord and savior (and changed the trajectory of the generations after him!). Moving along the timeline, JH discussed how he soon went to a revival hosted by his cousin Patsy and David Emge. He told how he entered a prayer line to pray for deliverance from smoking cigarettes. After smoking cigarettes from the age of nine years old, the man had been delivered from smoking and from the desire to drink by an instantaneous work of the Holy Spirit.
Of course, by this time a decent crowd had gathered around. Grandsons listened reverently as the old preacher gave his testimony of salvation, deliverance and life-change. Taking advantage of the moment, Grandfather began to encourage the men in the room to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. He explained Jesus' reconciliatory work on the cross, his grace and mercy, and the peace that passes all understanding. He told of the God-sized void in every mans's heart. A void that success and pleasure could not fill, but Christ alone. He encouraged the men to make certain that they knew Jesus, accepted him as savior, and knew where their eternal home was.
Grandfather spoke of the peace that he had. Peace with God, peace with others, and peace with death. Cancer was not the end. He quoted Jesus, saying "in my house are many mansions...." He knew that Jesus had prepared a place for him. He seemed to understand that the end was near. Grandfather was echoing the apostle Paul, who told his protege, "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He seemed to be embracing the inevitable, pouring himself out into the vessels around him and preparing those he loved for the journey ahead.
As he continued, the house took on a hushed tone. Three generations strained to hear the wisdom from the patriarch. It was obvious that this was not an ordinary conversation.
This was a moment.
Seizing the opportunity, he continued the monologue. Moving further back into his past to instruct the room from his personal pain. He told of how when his own father passed, he grieved that they had not verbally communicated that they loved each other. With tears in his eyes he shared that they both knew mutual affection existed, but they had not spoken it. He shared how, in that moment, he made a life change. He decided that he would share his feelings of love for others. He admonished those in the room to communicate their love and to resolve any conflict they had with others. He spoke of his own personal journey with conflict resolution and reconciliation with lifelong friends. He declared with confidence, "I can honestly say that I do not have an enemy in the world." He encouraged those closest to him to be reconciled with others, live in peace and declare love where it exists.
"Now let's pass the plate and take up an offering." He laughed. It was a needed break in the tension. By this time, eyes were moist and sniffling filled the room. Uncle Jack Smith, in his ever abrupt way, quickly jumped in, "Can we pray?"
It was an appropriate conclusion to the sermon of a lifetime by John Harrison Worden Jr.. An unforgettable moment in the kitchen.
Legacy
Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold"
A good name, a legacy, is chosen.
Legacy is not granted at the end of a life. It is chosen intentionality early on and established through daily decisions.
Grandfather was a Patriarch
Death reminds us that time is a limited resource.
Let us be awakened to the sobriety that we are not NEXT, we are NOW.
Legacy at 80 must begin at 30 and build through 40, 50, 60, 70.
We are mothers and fathers NOW
We are leaders and spouses NOW
We are building our legacy NOW
We are not next, we are now.
Let today be the day we lead
Let today be the day we love
Let today be the day we cement our character
Let today be the day we our eyes on significance
Let today be the day we CHOOSE a good name
Let today be the day of salvation 2 Corinthians 6:2
A patriarch has passed
A leader lays before us
A Father has finished his course
Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"
We are not next, we are now
