The Three Minute Grandparent

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.  Not only the opening line to a famous book, this descriptor fit October 26, 1983 for this Grandpa.  Word was received that my Father died suddenly and the world as I knew it changed.  Daddy was my rock, my stability.  He had always been with me and suddenly, was gone.  We had just spent a week with Mom and Dad at the beach, walking swimming, fishing, laughing, reading books to our children…and he was gone, in an instant.  I was devastated, lost, and grieving.  How could I continue to live a normal life? Daddy was thirty years older than me and the past 30 years had always brought an introspective look each October 26.  I knew that one year, I would be my Father’s age…and this is the year, this is the day; an anniversary that has been dreaded and thought about through the years.  I miss my Daddy even after 30 years. Speaking of contrasts, it was the best of times when Grandson made me...

The car is warm as is the outside air, This would be a good time to turn on the AC and spread some joy as I drive.  The car’s weather control moves in a circle, controlling placement of magic weather, from cooling the car’s windshield, to cooling the passengers’ faces and right down to the feet.  I adjusted the knob to cool my face then turned the other knob that controls how fast my face is cooled. The fan control has 4 settings: very little air flow, a little more air flow, almost enough air flow and finally, feeling the blast of air!  I set the fan to almost enough, and nothing happened, nada!  In fact, as I rotated the fan control, nothing worked, until I got to the last setting to which the fan roared to life.  Being the curious person, I backed up and tried all the settings, again, with the same results. After 5 repetitions of scientific research, I concluded that only the high fan setting worked.  Check the fuse?  Yes.  ...

9/11 - The day we saw the violence invade our country. We watched the bombings in other countries and flinched. We hurt for others who endured atrocities. We prayed for people "over there" who were hurt by the selfish actions of a few. We hoped and prayed that it never happened to us....on September 11, 2001, it DID happen to us. The violence and pain all came home to us. We experienced the hurt and we were changed forever. We will remember our countrymen and women who died. Innocence is gone forever and watchfulness is a part of our lives. We will forgive because we live in a global community but can we trust? Probably not. We will learn to love our neighbor with eyes wide open. Everything has changed and most of all, we have changed.

Someone was crying, my grandparent senses told me.  Immediately, I began looking, trying to zero in on the location.  The crying was coming from a young child who was obviously not in pain, but rather not receiving all that was needed for happiness.  After turning a corner, my eyes lit on a group of children and the guilty one immediately stood out.  The Wal-Mart cart contained groceries for a family plus it had 3 children inside and one riding the bumper.  It was obvious, the youngest one in the cart wanted to ride the bumper with the oldest, and was telling the world of her discomfort.  Nothing wrong with that…she wanted what was not possible and was sharing her thoughts in the only way available at the time.  I laughed then empathized with the harried Mom who merely wanted to shop, get home, cook dinner, bathe kids, cover them in bed and have a few quiet moments before the process starts again in 9 hours. Crying is a natural process of life, allo...

The Three Minute Grandparent: None Other Name Teaching others was nothing new; sharing new ideas with interested people was also a part of life.  Getting called on the carpet for sharing personal beliefs, now that was new and uncalled for to him.  He had just helped someone and everyone around was happy and pleased with his work.  He had just been asked why he was doing all of these good deeds and about his motivation, when the law showed up.  Arrested and taken to a meeting of leaders, he found himself in the middle of a circle, a circle of accusation. Questions were hurled at him as the leaders grew more and more angry. Peter responded with “ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.” (Acts 4:12, The Message) The leaders were angry with Peter and John and their teaching that Jesus was The Messiah and The Only way to God and Salvation.  This is still unpopular in an age where eve...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Rhonda The Creator said, “Let us make a woman, and let us make her as close to perfection as a human can be.”  The Creator found the softest clay of creamy coloring and began forming the woman.  One of the ministering spirits asked what height she should be, to which the Creator answered, “The height of a needy man on planet earth.”  “I want this woman to perfectly complement the man that I have in mind,” the Creator continued.  The beautiful woman began taking shape and the Creator found the warmest, most divinely scented smells of Heaven and breathed them into the woman.  He took the brightest star and instilled that into the personality; with the very love of God, He created her heart.  He gave her the patience of Job, the beauty of Rachel, and the Mother’s instinct of Hannah.  As Rhonda Colson was brought to earth, she began looking for Ken; upon finding Him, The Creator pronounced the union… Good. Rhonda, on you...

The Three Minute Grandparent: New Grandson A child has been born named Asher.  He is the third of 3 grandchildren.  He is healthy and loved by our oldest Daughter, Son-in-law, and first Grandson.  Birthdays are important as we celebrate the life that began 9 months ago and continues in this world.  The name, Asher means Blessed or Happy One.  This child has amazing parents and a kind, loving brother; he is truly blessed to be in such a caring and loving family.  We welcome him into the world and into our family.  Our prayer is that he would experience the love of Jesus and come to the knowledge of Jesus as Savior at an early age.  Until we can visit in person with little Asher, Skype continues to function on a daily basis.  Granddaddy loves you, Asher.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Tenderness Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven. (The Message Bible, Jude 22-23) As Followers of Jesus, we are to be His representatives on earth, loving people and pointing them to Jesus as the author of our Salvation.  Being “tender with sinners” is asking me to love the sinner, show mercy to someone who is on a destructive path and definitely not pass condemning judgment on the person.  As a believer, I am free to love the sinner and hate the sin.  Jesus loved the woman caught in the sin of adultery but she admonished her to “leave her life of sin.”  You may be asked, “Who are you to say such and such is sin?” Who?  “I am a child of Jesus, and I love you.  I do not need to condemn you but am called to love you.  That’s who I am.”  We live in the age of grace, so let’s give grace to ot...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Granddaughter Our 16 month old Granddaughter spent a week with us.  Her parents also came to supervise the fun that Grandma, Grandpa and Granddaughter had during 8 days of romping around the house, walks outside, visiting Glacier National Park and roaming around Missoula.  We had a blast playing with and getting to know our little girl on a day by day basis. Our little girl lives too many miles away and too many fun times apart from us.  She arrived with our Son and Daughter in Law and proceeded to steal our hearts from the moment we met them at the airport.  We observed her greeting everyone in the airport with “hi…hi…hi,” then stomp her feet if the greeting was not answered.  She walked, no, RAN everywhere her little feet would take her.  She enjoyed the train at Southgate Mall, the Carousel in downtown Missoula, and rode on Daddy’s back all the way up to Hidden lake Lookout in Glacier Park. Grandparents found themselve...

The day began as a single college guy and closed as a college couple.   Sunday dawned and I was nervous.   I had my tuxedo; shirt, pants, tie, yes and even the cufflinks.   Everything fit as I slowly added each piece of the wardrobe and began to look like a groom.   My family met me at the church and other guys in the male part of the wedding party.   My Father as best man tried to encourage me; one young married friend was telling all of the negatives of getting married while another unmarried friend had no idea where this would lead.   The organ began playing and I entered with my best man, led by our pastor friend (who was sick from food poisoning – of which I was blissfully ignorant).   Couple by couple, the ladies were escorted down the isle by the men in the party, then she appeared…the lady of my dreams, Rhonda, escorted by our adopted Father, Thurman Barrow.   My eyes were glued on Rhonda, this lovely apparition all in white with long brow...

“I feel like a rich man,” said one of the characters in the movie Courageous.   Habiere, gazing into the mirror and admiring his new suit, made the comment.   His wife commented, “You are a rich man; you have a strong faith with children that love you and a wife who adores you.”   What more could a man or grandfather want?   So much in life is fleeting or even false, yet to have someone who loves and cares for you is one of life’s treasures.   A strong faith comes from loving and being loved by the God of the universe.   As a husband for 39 years, a father for almost 35 and a grandfather for 2 ½ years, I can say that I am blessed beyond measure.   My faith began as a child in my parent’s home, observing their faith and wanting it, too.   My own relationship with Jesus began at age 12 and continues to grow.   I continue to find that I am a rich man, not in money, but in relationships; learning more about my loving wife each day and lovi...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Authority The power to influence or command thought, opinion or behavior, or a person in command.  In parenting, this would be someone who has the right to make decisions.  Grandparents have used authority to make decisions for their children during growing up years and at times have used designated authority to make decisions for grandchildren.  Decisions?  What type of decisions?  Bedtimes, mealtimes, clothing choice, friends, church and school attendance, free time, and discipline.  Parents make decisions with an ultimate goal in mind; independence and passing that authority on to the child as growth occurs.  Children need to be under authority during the formative years; parents need to display and exert authority over their children with this thought, their authority should work on a descending scale as the child grows.  Each child should begin to exert self governing techniques and make decisions for them...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Dignity Are you honored by someone?  Are you treated with respect?  Grandparents want to be treated with respect by their children and also by people living around them.  Webster defines dignity as “the state of being worthy, honored or esteemed.”  Another meaning is “a legal title of nobility or honor.”  By extension, one might be called Sir Grandfather or Lady Grandmother.  In some countries, Grandparents are called Honored Grandfather and Honored Grandmother.  These are terms of respect that are deeply appreciated by all Grandparents.  In order to be treated with dignity and honored by someone, dignity and honor must first be given.  The golden rule actually works in this situation, remember it? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  In other words, if you want it, give it to someone.  Do you want to be treated as a special person?  Treat someone as a special person.  D...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Daddy Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.  My Daddy was 30 years older than me, yet he was involved in my growth and development and spent time with me on a regular basis.  Daddy gave me my first pet, a Collie that I named Pal.   Daddy sensed that I needed to care for something which would help me grow and understand responsibility.  Pal and I ate from the same can of dog food and ran all over our large back yard. As I grew, Daddy gave me a bicycle which gave me wings to fly over the yard and eventually through neighborhood streets and finally to school.  Daddy tried to help me understand cars, working under the hood changing the oil, fanbelts, generators, even shock absorbers.  He showed this 3 year old boy a spark plug and I thought it was candy, promptly responding with,” I like spark plugs.”  I resisted Daddy as I grew older and did not have an interest in cars.  Oh, I wat...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Courage “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is more important.” (Father to daughter in Princess Diaries .)  The Cowardly Lion searched for courage in The Wizard of Oz .   Audie Murphy, decorated WW2 soldier, displayed it while on the battlefield.  Courage seems to be the subject of newspaper articles, TV shows and movies, and it is a word thrown around on the internet.  Is there such a thing as courage?  True courage?  Webster’s dictionary defines it as mental or moral strength to   venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.  How does one display true courage?  Parents of young children are courageous to this Grandpa.  Children are a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week undertaking.  No time off is generally available to the caring parent of a 2 year old.  Teaching, nurturing, feeding, bathing, driving, walking and loving a child are all f...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Haunting What haunts you?  What pursues you?  Are you forced to face something time after time?  No, this is not a ghost story; it concerns what is on a child’s mind.  A child is haunted by Mother.  Haunt has layered meanings; to be preoccupied with or obsessed with.  A child is preoccupied with or obsessed with his/her Mother all of the time.  The picture of Mother comes to mind when hunger strikes, when a toy breaks, when the bathroom door is closed and Mother is behind it, or when a large dog barks.  Mother is always in the mind of a child whether in the forefront or lurking behind the latest adventure.  The needs of a child center on Mother even when building with Leggos, bathing the dog, planting a garden with Dad or having a fun ride in the car.  A slight change in plans, a cut finger, or anything out of the ordinary brings the picture of Mother to the mind of a child.  In a figure of sp...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Needs Grandparents have needs; we never grow out of it.  We continue to need from the moment of our births to the very second we leave this earth.  As babies, we needed constant care by an adult who was able to give food, clothing, warmth, love, and cleaning up after our messiness.  As children we continued with the previous needs and added to those supervision, training and guidance.  This particular Grandpa needed much in the way of supervision and guidance and it came from two very loving parents.  This child tried the patience of his Mom and Dad on a daily basis with his curiosity and sometimes mischief.  Two sisters were the targets of many mischievous experiments; fortunately they have since forgiven him.  As teenagers, we continued needing a firm hand of guidance with a sense of freedom.  This requires almost superhuman understanding from the parent; a knowledge of each child helps in imposing limits while ...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Have you heard about me? Everyone wants to be known.  Everyone wants his/her name to be familiar to someone.  Have you heard about me?  Do you know what I did?  Did you know that I am famous?  A friend told us about her youngest child and his problems at school.  Seems this child has a short fuse and is long on defending himself.  When someone at the lunch table said something threatening to young short-fuse, he replied with, “I don’t like that! Have you heard about me?”  Grandma and I had a good laugh at this, knowing the family as fairly peaceable folks, and then I began to think about being known.  As grandparents, we have been known by our first and last names, we have been known as (our children’s) parents; “Hi Sam’s Mom” etc, we are now known as “The Grandparents.”  This is an exciting time for us….Grandparents. What a wonderful designation!  Loving children is thrilling.  Loving grandchil...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Automated Phone Systems “Thanks for calling the Busy Bank Automated Phone System.  For the loan department, press 1; for deposits, press 2; for withdrawals, press 3, for your current balance, press 4, to actually speak to a live person, press 5.”  We all love these automated systems and we get them every day.  Most of us press 0 repeatedly trying to get to a live person…like that is going to happen!  Can you imagine this system being used by a family?  “Thanks for calling the happy Smith Family, to speak to Mom, press 1, to speak to Dad, press 2; to speak to Junior, press 3; to speak to Sally, press 4; to speak to Fido, Oh never mind, just come on over.”  This Grandpa began to wonder about the possibilities of use with a busy Mother and 4 children, perhaps this is how it would work.  “Thanks for calling Mom, for help with homework, press 1; for medical help, press 2; for dinner and snack inquiries, press 3; for a hug o...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Angela The wait was long and this Grandpa was tired.  Grandma arrived at the hospital early in the morning for what should have been a fairly quick delivery.  She was prepped and already propped up in bed waiting for the inevitable contractions to begin, so we waited…and waited….and continued waiting.  The TV suddenly came alive with news of an attempt on the life of then Pope John Paul 2; was this a subliminal message of some sort?  How did this message relate to a delivery date in Harris Hospital?  We continued waiting and talking with our Pastor David.  The excitement grew as we anticipated the arrival of our second child; Boy? Girl? We did not know, as the ultrasound was still in its infancy.  The time finally arrived as did our little…..girl, Angela.  I held her and knew that she was mine!  Mine forever!  As she grew, holding became hugs and finally she was held by another, our Son in law, David....

The Three Minute Grandparent: Mother “You are a nice lady,” was the writing that my 6 yr old Mother’s Day card held.  I meant this with all of my heart because my Mother was and still is a nice lady.  She has been brave enough to support me through all of life’s actions, and yet, still loves me.  She has encouraged me through very difficult times, offered wise advice for many of my trying times, and remained loyal to me even when disagreeing with me.  Her encouragement began when a very trying and busy first born child entered her life.  Extended family members viewed me as “bad and in need of a spanking.”  Mother’s view was pre-ADHD but full of ADHD understanding in guiding this very busy child.  She tied bells on my shoes to keep track of my wanderings throughout the house and when the bells stopped ringing, she came running to check on me.  She allowed me to feed my pet dog, Pal, hearing me say, “One for you and one for me,” discovering Pal ...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Rhonda Will you love her?  Cherish her?  Provide for her as long as you shall live?  I will.  With those words, I sealed my love and desire to marry Rhonda Cribbs almost 39 years ago.  Within 4 years she became Mother to the first of our 4 children and continued to establish the home that began with our marriage.  Rhonda came from an abusive home where she was mistreated by her own Mother and largely ignored by her Father.  She was a loving child who treated both parents with respect and tried to remain invisible.  Upon our marriage, she determined that our home would be loving and caring with grace as the driving force.  Rhonda spent time with each child, showering love and attention as was needed.  She made sure that each child knew beyond a shadow that he and she was loved, REALLY LOVED.  One of her first prayers after Sam, our firstborn arrived was, “Lord, I don’t know how to raise this child; I...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Caring Grandparents care. Seems almost too simple; we have cared for children, pets, friends of children and pets, more friends, and now grandchildren. We love our friends and want to find more friends, the lingo today is, find pre-friends and make them friends. Caring is such a part of our lives that we reach out to anyone who will be reached out to! In fact it is hard NOT to reach out. Today, this Grandpa spoke to approximately two dozen people while moving through life; children in Walmart, people in cars while walking to places on our list, people in Dickey’s and Dollar store, etc, it goes on and on. Some folks stopped and continued the conversation which opened the door to sharing conversation. Caring enough to share with anyone who needs a friendly word; Grandchildren are at the top of our list for caring, however when they are thousands of miles away, we find others on which to bestow our caring…on a daily basis. Instead of the old hack phrase, ...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Learning from the new Pope Grandparents need to keep on learning and not allow themselves to arrive at a point of "all knowledge." As a lifelong learner, this Grandpa wants to see and learn new things then apply them. It has been a pleasure to follow the new Pope Francis' activities in the news and blogs. His desire to reach out to the unreachable and see the unseen has had an affect on this Grandpa. He is quiet and unassuming and seems to have continued his life of giving and caring even in the papacy. This Grandpa wants to learn from this man. Learning and growing, you're never too late to start.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Reading Reading should be a part of your life. Getting older is a fact of life, settling down in a sedentary lifestyle should not be a part of that. Books, blogs, emails, computer community reading; there is so much to read so take your pick. Read to your grandchild, or if not available, read to a child of friends. Give him/her a love of books. Go to the library, no c ard? Get a library card from your local library and use those facilities! An older TV ad used to say, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Reading takes you to places that you may never visit physically. It allows you to dream again and see something exciting in your mind's eye. Reading stretches your imagination. Books come in all shapes and sizes; from the original paper back to hard backs, kindles to computer books, even comic books count in the reading game. This Grandparent reads something every day, blogs from many diverse writers are some of the favorites. My Kindl...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Eating Once considered a form of fellowship, eating for the Grandparent has become a form of torture. Grandparent is hungry, Grandparents prepares food, Grandparent eats...too much. The Grandparent body, once able to eat huge quantities of food, good and junk food, is no longer able to process any food without adding pounds to the body. The body that was once able to digest and move on from a Whopper meal, now finds itself bloated and gaining weight at an alarming rate. Grandparent searches for alternative foods, health foods. Salads and cottage cheese begin to fill up the refrigerator, low fat dressings appear, and fried foods disappear from the menu as does salt and sugar. Life becomes a tasteless circle of eating the "right" foods and searching for the perfect weight loss program. The weight seems to be super-glued on the body. No longer able to eat our tasty food, we search the bins of the healthy food store for mixed greens, which look li...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Dressing Getting dressed is like planning a battle. Let's digress; when a Grandparent was younger, getting dressed was simple, choose the wardrobe, sit/stand and one by one ease into all of the clothes. As one ages, it becomes a process that must be planned. Shirts that button are easier than the slip over golf type. Slacks that balloon around the waste and hips are better th an the skin tight, sexy ones. For the Grandmother, tight skirts are a thing of the past and full skirts/dresses are much more comfortable. The control top pantyhose are also something in memory. (As the Grandfather writing, I am relying on Grandmother for some of this.) The process of dressing becomes a symphony of grunts, groans, and moans. Leaning over to pull on socks and shoes has made me wonder what else can be done while so close to the floor. Pulling on slacks becomes a dangerous game of hopping on one foot which leads to pulled muscles - yes it has already happened. I m...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Sleep Sleep for a Grandparent occasionally comes in spurts. Growing older is physical as well as mental. The body ages as does the mind. The need for sleep seems to become less according to my mind, but the body is still screaming for it. Getting up in the night seems to come more often. Thoughts of children and grandchildren seem to dominate the thoughts, and that happens in the night. This can be a positive time of reflection and prayer for the loved ones as we watch the moon move through the sky. Thinking of our family throughout the night is an occasional joy, but still tiring. Naps become the norm throughout the day. Here's thinking of you.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Walking on Water “You want the impossible!  I’m not even going to try!”  Has this ever been thrown in your face?  You reach out and try to help; you give and give then someone bounces this off your wall.  It hurts and you wonder, “Why did I ever reach out to ________?”  These grandparents heard it a time or two and felt the sting of those words.  In retrospect, perhaps the impossible or near impossible was requested from time to time from those that we love the most.  We watched our children grow and wanted to give a nudge here and there; Perhaps a “helpful” comment to help them move forward.  Growing is never easy; however, “If you want to walk on water, you must climb out of the boat.” Walking on water is dangerous, is this hard or soft water?  Seriously, in order to walk on water, one must face the real possibility of getting wet or worse!  It means, one has taken a definitive step from the zone of saf...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Do something Do Something For Yourself. You have been available for your children as they grew up, finished school, moved away and started a life of their own. Now you are available for grandchildren, their visits, needs, hugs and kisses. In short, you have become all things to your family and what is left for you? It's time to do something that you REALLY enjoy. You are thinking. ..thinking...thinking...what do you enjoy? If you are here, its time to discover what you like; what makes your bell ring? Think back, what did you enjoy doing when you could do something for yourself? Do you enjoy singing? Hiking? sewing? Cooking? Perhaps writing? Do it! Whatever it is, do it for yourself! Take some time each day and begin doing something just for yourself. Your spouse and children will be grateful and you will begin to feel fulfilled and happy.

The Three Minute Grandparent: Exercise Exercise - the favorite word of Grandparents everywhere! Someone said, Exercise has been proven to be boring. I agree with this comment so my constant desire and work as been to find new ways to exercise that are NOT boring. I work out 4 days a week at my company gym then try to walk or find something interesting the remaining days. Remember, it's not how hard or how much you work out, but rather that you DID something physical several times a week. You are not exercising just for yourself but also for your spouse, your children and grandchildren. Speaking of grandchildren, one of the best exercises is keeping up with a 2 year old grandchild.  I love our grandchildren…AND….I have a lot of respect for their parents, our children.  Did we actually take care of our young children?  Did we run with them 24 hours a day for 18 years?  I am tired just thinking about it.  My hat is doffed to my wonderful children who are the ...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Team A Grandparent is/was part of a team, a partner in marriage, a part of a together forever duet. I do realize that this is not always the case but in most cases, a grandparent is linked to another grandparent. We are people just like our children and yes we are older. Sometimes we may do things that seem odd to younger folks. We may be set in our ways and do a task that has always been done by us that way. As a current Grandparent, I can learn new things and do tasks differently, however, I have been doing my tasks a lot longer that you young folks have, so cut me some slack, give me time to adapt. I really do want to stay current, but give me some time. We love our children and want to continue growing as we watch them grow.  One area of change involves technology, a wonderful part of our lives.  Cell phones have changed how we do life, how we communicate with family and friends.  Our cell phones are more like computers…in fact; t...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Hold Grandparents like to hold babies and children. Grandmothers generally get the babies and Grandfathers get the older ones. Just so you know, Grandfathers like to hold babies and are quite good at it. We know how to make a baby laugh as well as calm them. We also know how to change diapers but again, Grandmothers want to do that. Give Grandfathers the chance to hold and change babies, we really do want to help. Holding any child is not a bother. We love it!  This Grandpa held a baby at our church last night and fell in love again.  The little girl studied my face and was in deep thought, and then she remembered her Mother.  As an experienced Grandpa, I turned so she could see Mom and she was suddenly OK. We walked around the worship area, talked and smiled at each other for a brief time, and then Mom took her back for feeding. Since all of our Grandchildren live far away, these Grandparents appreciate the joy and privilege of holding yo...

The Three Minute Grandparent: Talk Grandparents like to talk to children. We have talked with and to children all of our lives and suddenly, no children are in the home. We want to encourage and build up children. We want to ask questions and give time for a reply. We want to hear what a child has to say, listen to those first rambling words and encourage the formation of new words. We will talk to children in Target, Walmart, and Safeway. We miss our own grandchildren and are willing to be grandparents to your children.

TO THE WORK To the work! To the work! We are servants of God; Let us follow the path that our Master has trod; With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew, Let us do with our might what our hands find to do. Refrain Toiling on, toiling on, Toiling on, toiling on, Let us hope and trust, Let us watch and pray, And labor till the Master comes. Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) wrote the words to this engaging old hymn. As a blind poet, Fanny wrote much in the way of hymns for the Church. To The Work, written in 1869 represents her view of the Christian walk; daily and consistent. William H Doane (1832-1915) composed the music in 1871. Doane was an industrial leader who composed in the evenings at his home. Ira Sankey, music leader for the Moody-Sankey Revival team said, “I sang this song for the first time in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cornell at Long Branch.  The Servants gathered from all parts of the house while I was singing, and looked into the parlor where I...