Tribute To My Papa

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My papa, Merrill Abell, left this world January 2007. He was 94 years old and had pretty good health until his final couple weeks. He married my mama in 1935 and remained with her until her passing in 2000. He attended the same church, First Baptist Church of Greenwood Indiana since 1935. I was privilaged to have a papa such as him and was asked to say a few words at his funeral. The following is how I remember him, and what I valued about him most.

I sure you will hear today many of the great events that Papa enjoyed with us as his grandchildren. I have those great memories too. I would like to tell you about the traits of Papa that I want to pass along to my children who because of distance and timing will never know him as we knew him.

The first trait is that he was a hard worker. As a young person, I would go with Papa to prepare wood for his various projects. He would push through to get a project done when I was ready to take a break. As a hard worker he took work seriously. I worked for Uncle Don in his machine shop while in high school. Papa would show up at the shop and before he was in the door, the safety glasses were on and steel chips were flying, because we knew he wanted whoever was working to do a good job and do it diligently.

The second trait of Papa was his sense of humor. He was always up to a good joke on someone or to get us when we least expected it. There were countless times that he would sneak up behind us during a scary TV show or movie and scare us in his living room. He would then retreat to his easy chair to laugh. Some of the jokes he played on others and that were played on him are legendary in our family. He used that humor to keep everyday issues of life in perspective.

Both of these traits are just some of the person Papa was to us and who we loved. However what made these traits and others significant is only seen in light of the final trait.

Papa was a man who lived the gospel out in his life. He had accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ repenting of his sins before God and accepting Christ’s work on the cross, the only thing that can restore fellowship with God. He not only accepted the truth claims of the gospel, but he understood in his own way that accepting the gospel demanded living the gospel. He lived it in how he treated people, how he worked, how he loved.

I never heard Papa claim a life verse from the Bible, as that was not his style, but I want to assign on to him today that I believe could be his life verse by the way he lived.

Colossians 3:12-15
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us together in perfect harmony.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

I love you Papa, I will see you later.

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