Have you ever had a mentor in your life? I have had many. In my work career I can think of at least three different guys who took me under their wings. They took the raw talent I had and shaped it into a formidable force. I gained all kinds of knowledge under their tutelage.
But today I am not talking about that kind of mentor. Today I want to talk about a spiritual man who has over our short friendship through his quiet, unshakeable faith has been able to show me the character of God in such a powerful way by just being who he is. Today I want to talk to you about my friend Joey Grimsley.
I am sure some of you reading this who know Joey are already grinning. I bet you are thinking about some time when he has done something in your life that has brightened, enlightened or just filled that empty space with a Godly joy. Joey is that kind of guy. For those of you who have not had the privilege of knowing my friend, I guess the best way to share is to tell the story of our friendship.
It starts months before Joey and I ever met. In an amazing, God-led turn of events in 2016 I ‘met’ RuthAnn on Facebook. I have shared the story here several times. From May through July of that year our only form of communication was through instant messages. Somewhere in July we graduated to actually speaking on the phone. And it was not long after that I first heard the names of RuthAnn’s friends Joey and Robin Grimsley.
I knew very little about them except they lived in a remote part of northern Georgia. A place I had vague and very dated knowledge about because once upon about 3 decades ago I had worked on some TVA dams in the area. Now living a continent away in the wilds of Oregon, none of it rang out solid memories. But the more RuthAnn shared the more I heard about a couple who loved with their hearts, not just their heads. Christians who were really living a Christ like life. I was fascinated that they accepted me as their friend without even meeting me just because RuthAnn was growing in love for me as I was for her.
As the story goes RuthAnn and I finally met in September when she flew out to Oregon. We knew that there was little doubt that God had drawn us together and after a few more meeting in our trans-continental relationship we decided to marry. It was not until the wedding day itself in late December of 2016 that I finally met Joey and Robin.
As I entered the church and was preparing for the ceremony I was approached by this couple with broad warm smiles. They both hugged me like a long, lost friend. I have to admit, I was already in shock. My stable life in Grants Pass, Oregon was about to be exchanged for a life in Georgia among strangers but meeting these two seemed to give me an easy feeling. Maybe all was going to be alright. Maybe this was not going to be as scary as I thought.
Once I was settled into our life, I found that even though Joey and Robin lived 4 hours away, we met often. Normally for birthdays among a group of friends who had been doing this for quite a while. Again, in this group I felt out of place. RuthAnn’s deceased husband had been a member and I felt like I was intruding in a way. But it was Joey who broke through my fears. Yes, all the others were loving and accepting but Joey quietly and so lovingly let me know his friendship was genuine. It was his presence that was my assurance.
Over the next years Joey was there. When I started writing this blog, he and Robin became my most avid readers, encouraging me in ways that only true friends can. When I was asked to be an elder in the Macon church, it was Joey who I turned to for prayer and counsel. When disappointment and discouragement was handed me in that church it was Joey who had simple words of faith that lightened my heart. Believe me, folks, I am not the only one who knows all this about Joey. Whenever RuthAnn and I visited the Blairsville SDA Church where Joey has been an elder and leader, I saw the same love and respect shown by every person I met. I was treated like an honored guest being a friend of the Grimsley’s.
There is so much more I could write. His strong prayer life strengthened mine. His sense of humor brightened dark corners when I needed it, his calming words and genuine love gave me more than I gave in return. Joey Grimsley changed my life in ways that have drawn me closer to my Savior, what more can I say!
Sadly, yet full of hope. Joey is now facing a terrific struggle with cancer. Everyday his body is battling a battle that only allows him so much time to have the strength to be the man he has been for so long. Robin, family and friends have surrounded him in a circle of love. This last weekend we were blessed to be a small part of that. RuthAnn, I and a few friends spent Sabbath in their home. At one point a group of friends from the Blairsville church arrived. They sang, they prayed, and they returned the love to a man who has loved them unconditionally. I saw in that time a bit of what heaven is going to be like. All of it because of the love of Jesus Christ shown through my friend, Joey and his good wife Robin.
Jesus said this, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) I have struggled to live this simple but amazingly hard verse, but I can truly say I know a man who does it daily. I love you, my good friend, Joey. The light of Christ in you has been a beacon for this lost man. Thank You!
Blessings,
John
8/12/19
