For those of you who are acquainted with the family I come from, back in Egypt, then you'll recognise that I wrote this for Baba, my dear and beloved grandfather, one year ago. I wanted to bring it out again because I've been thinking about him so much, lately.
If you think that this is going to be an informative editorial about my grandfather's many contributions to the cause of Christianity, then hit the 'back' button, because this is actually a page dedicated to my nostalgiac musings about my horribly missed and dearly beloved Baba.
When people speak of my grandfather, they often mention the Biblical content, the impassioned delivery-- but I never knew the fiery orator that his parishoners did. These same people, amongst others, mention his many contributions to the lives of Christians--and others--in the Middle East. I never knew the morally upright man of God who, daily, and with measurable but inimitable steps, influenced his children and relatives to be the same way.
No, my image of Baba was merely one of kindness and warmth, and now that I think back on it, I think I grew to love Jesus as much as I do, (or at least see Him the way I see Him now ) because I likened His love to Baba's-- an almost all-knowing wisdom/slash/experience that shone from his eyes and made me want to do the right thing, crossed with amusement and, yes, love . (As far as I was concerned, Baba's many contributions were just icing on the cake, once I learned about them.)
Apart from how I felt about him (and will until the day I go to be with Jesus, too), Baba affected me via his relationship with Jesus. The way he talked about Him, the way he talked to Him.. not only as though He were with us, (because He was), but as though He were Baba's most precious friend, (which He also was).
I think God shows His love for us through certain people on this earth, from whom shines a very tender and obvious love that breaks through the coldest and highest walls we lock ourselves behind. Baba is the first and best example that comes to my mind.
So that brings me to another point-- if Baba was all these things I'm saying, the most important of which has to do with Jesus, and where people who loved Him so much in life get to go after leaving this earth-- then why am I so sad as I write this?
Well, sad is actually the wrong word. Maybe 'tearful' would be better. Anyway, the reason I've been a walking waterworks for a week now is out of selfishness on my part-- I'll never see Baba's smile again in this life, I'll never get to hug him again, or make him laugh with a silly joke, or even hear his dear voice calling me 'SSSSS,'which was his nickname for me.
It tears me up to know that. But how happy I am for him-- my brother in Christ!-- that he's finally with the saviour that drove him for so many years, the best friend that he prayed to constantly, bringing up people and issues by name, committing them to the Lord and his 'kind care' (waterworks alert).
The other day, I was driving to Baba and Mama's home, and, as usual, the sun had gone down and the moonroof on my Honda was up. (for those of you who know me, this is no surprise-- I always wake up late when I'm taking a road trip, and my hair is usually a mess-- blame it on the sunroof!)
Anyway, back to the issue at hand, I looked up at one point and saw a full moon just above me. Clouds were swirling over it, and all I could glimpse in the moment I'd taken my eyes off the road was the outline of the moon.
Those of you who speak Arabic know that 'el Amar' is not only the name for the moon, but also a way to say that something is beautiful.
Well, as I drove on, a shaft of white light burst through the clouds, and I felt the exact moment it hit my face. The brightness of the moon couldn't be contained by the clouds!
This made me think that some people on this earth shine with a heavenly light that can't be contained or hidden by anyone or anything the devil throws at them.
This further impressed me to think that these same people shine so brightly because the light shining through them is the light of our saviour, Jesus Christ.
So, it's no wonder, really, that the 'forces of evil' (to be dramatic) throw things our way, trying to blot out what we're meant to show. But like the clouds that attempted to hide the brilliance of the moon, so too shall the very fabric of evil be overcome-- as it covers us for a time, perhaps, but remains unable to cover us up -- including (and especially) the glory within us whose origin is Christ Jesus!
