Rev. Dr. Wilton Mons Nelson produced the first Bible Dictionary completely written in Spanish in Latin America. He was a popular seminary professor, and eventually dean of the largest Protestant seminary in Latin America. I knew him as Grandpa.

If nothing else, my Grandpa was disciplined. Down to the half-hour every day. On Saturdays, his routine called for a hike. He loved to walk. It was his way of recharging. He welcomed company on those walks but did not seek it. I think he walked all the hills of the Central Valley of Costa Rica.

I don’t like to walk because of him. I like to walk like him. I like walking probably for the same reasons -– to recharge, to exercise (since I can’t run anymore), to see new places. And today, I started the hike of a lifetime, the Camino de Santiago. I would have loved to have done this walk with Janice, but her knees don’t allow it. I would have loved to walk it with my boys or my brother. I would really have loved to walk it with my Dad. That would have been incredible. But today, I spent the day walking with my Grandpa.

I thought a lot about him today…of the size of the gifts that he gave the Protestant church in Costa Rica specifically, and to Latin America generally. I thought about his passions (walking being one of them.)  He got a doctorate in Church History. His dissertation became a book on the History of Protestantism in Costa Rica, a regular original source on the subject today. He was a professor at heart, but a pastor when called upon; his goal was to grow the Kingdom of God by equipping pastors. What I would give to have been able to take one of his classes and to visit with him about it on one of his Caminos! He would have LOVED to walk Spain as I am doing. LOVED it!

And I would have loved to walk with him and ask him questions. Questions about the church, questions about his recollection of people he knew but are now part of the cloud of witnesses that he is now part of. Ask him about my Dad…what he thought of my Mom when he first met her…what he thought of me, for that matter, in those days when I could (and did a couple of times) go hiking with him up the hills of San Jose.

I have always loved 2 Timothy 1:5 which says: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”  Both my grandmothers were Christians, and so was my Mom. But when I read that verse, I think of my grandfather Wilton and my dad Pete, because I am persuaded by the faith that first lived in them now lives in me. And all I hope for is a generation or two down from me saying the same thing someday.

I also really like the 2 Timothy verse because it indicates that Paul first knew the ladies before he met the son/grandson. It’s really cool to hear from somebody who knew your grandparents and parents. That happens less and less to me now.

Yes, part of the conversation I had with my Grandpa today was about the fact that I am now the eldest Nelson. I’m not sure what that means, but it does mean I am now more Lois than Timothy, even though when I first read 2 Timothy I sure identified with him!

The lesson here really is about Lois and Eunice. They impressed Paul; they must have ministered with him and helped in the Kingdom in some way that warranted him praising them in his encouragement to Timothy. I want to lead my life in such a way that others get that impression—that they see the reality of my faith in, and love of, God. We all should.

What impression DO people get when they get to know you?

Ready for Day 2,

Craig

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—
guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:14 (NIV)