The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

It was a warm, sunny day –just the kind of a day for an intercollegiate track and field contest. I was

about 10 years old, so I was only an observer. But what I saw that day has stayed with me for 70 years.

It was the race that captured my attention. One runner in particular just left all the others “in his dust.”

He flashed down the track at what seemed lightning speed, his red hair flaming in the wind. My best recollection is that his name was Plummer and he came from Seneca, Missouri High School. He had already won a couple of races, and looking behind him saw a teammate from his school coming on. He slowed up and encouraged his teammate to cross the finish line ahead of him. I had never seen such an act of kindness!

Paul saw that our race is surrounded with onlookers, too. He encourages us to lay aside everything that could possibly keep us from winning, and to run with steadfast patience the race the LORD has set before each of us. There are a lot of “encumbrances.” People from the other schools in the stands will yell against us. They will call us names, make fun of the way we run, and do everything they can to hinder us from winning. What are we to do? How can we win against such odds? Fix your eyes on Jesus, he said. He is the one who trained us for this race. Remember what He said: Ignore the opposition; don’t think about anything except your Coach, what He said, and reaching the finish line well.

No one reading this letter needs more instruction about what it all means. We know Him; we read His Word; we know the drill. Just keep on keeping on. We want to finish well. We want our Coach to be proud of us. Don’t get distracted. You can win! God bless you abundantly!

Our love and prayers are with you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”