Fedora and White Beard

 

Today, as I put on my fedora and went outside, I thought of a sweet picture of my maternal grandfather that a cousin sent to me two weeks ago.  I don’t look like “Papaw Epperly”, but I do have his DNA.  He passed away almost thirty years ago, and with each passing year, I struggle to keep his memories clear.  But I remember him saying, “When I get old, I want to grow a snow-white beard like my grandpa used to have.”  Like me, papaw had two grandfathers: his mother’s father and his father’s father.  I found a picture of his paternal grandfather, John Allen Epperly, and he had a black handlebar mustache.  I could not find a picture of his maternal grandfather, but I can only assume that papaw was talking about him: Isaac Russell Lilly.  I do know that I am fond of my fedora and fond of my white beard.  And I think that Papaw Epperly would like both.  David reminds us in Psalm 78:4, “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”  We have a purpose in sharing stories of the good Lord with our children and grandchildren: we must promote a Godly heritage to them!  David goes on to say in verses 6&7, “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.”  As Abraham Lincoln said, “I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.”