In my late teens, Reverend M. D. Beall became my pastor. Although she was more often addressed as Mom Beall or Sister Beall, they were always spoken with utmost respect, love, and shall I even say, awe! After all, no one I knew had such a gift to hear from God, preach His heart, and be used in such miraculous ways.
Then in 1974 my relationship with Sister Beall changed. I married her grandson, Joe, and so had the added privilege of knowing her as Grandma Beall. Joe had a close relationship with his grandmother and their bond of love spilled over into my life. We enjoyed special times with her when she would invite us over for dinner, always roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob (no matter the season) prepared by her cook, Mary. After dinner we would go to her den which also served as her prayer room, the place where she received the messages she would preach on Sundays. There we would continue to enjoy each other’s company.
I was blessed to know this personal side of M.D. Beall—to know her as a grandmother—and I never failed to be honored by that privilege. I always remained in awe of this woman of God.
When we look back to the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, they knew God was their Father and that they were His children, but they didn’t address God as “Father.” Abraham addressed God as “God Almighty,” Moses knew Him as the I Am, Jehovah. David knew Him as his Shepherd, the Holy One, his Lord. But when Jesus entered humanity, he made it possible for us to know God in a personal, intimate way that had not been known before, to truly know God as “our Father.”In fact, when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he gave them the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, and it begins with “Our Father.” Think about how remarkable, how “awe-some” this must have sounded to those twelve Jewish men—to address Almighty God, Yahweh, Jehovah, the Holy One, with such a familial appellation—to address Him as Father!
And that privilege was not just meant for the Twelve Disciples. We, too, can know God as our Father! But with this privilege of intimacy we must remember that He is still the Holy One, Almighty God, Sovereign Lord. We must never take for granted this blessing of a personal relationship with God. Paul Tripp (author of New Morning Mercies) reminds us of the importance of remaining in awe of God.
“Every word we speak, every action we take, every decision we make, and every desire we entertain was meant to be colored by awe.”
And here “awe” is not defined as being “afraid of,” but rather a “feeling of reverential respect and wonderment” for our God. So today, take a moment to pray the Lord’s Prayer to your Father and enjoy the wonderment of His presence while being in awe that He has chosen you as His child! Allow that intimacy to magnify your awe of Him.
Joy Gruits is a Christian educator, speaker, and writer. Her passion is to share a Biblical truths that challenge and motivate people to become devoted followers of Christ who fulfill God's divine purpose for their lives.
Click on the title to watch the trailer!
Joy, that insight is “Awesome”!
What another great message. And Mom Beal would be so very PROUD of you.
Thank you, Joy. I really love that picture of you.
Love seeing the picture and remembering……so many memories. What a good analogy of how to approach our Heavenly Father. This also reminds me of how we are an example to the younger generations in our life. We are now the Grandma Beall to them and we now have the responsibility to show them how we approach our Father in life so they can follow. Thanks Joy!
So glad you were part of that day!
Now we are the ‘Grandma Bealls’ to generations following us. They are watching how we approach our Father so they can follow the same way. Love the picture!!
Oops…double post! I loved being a part of your wedding and you in mine. Can’t believe it is 46years ago!!
Thank you Joy! What a powerful and encouraging word!!! God bless!
Awesome perspective and encouragement.
Love this! ❤️ Thanks Joy
Thank you, Joy! I stand in awe of the mercies of our Father!
Joy: thank you for this insight into the relationship to which the Father invites every nation, tribe, person to have with Him.
I love the picture and still treasure the day when you graced and blessed our family by joining us. And the entire Hughes family was a wonderful, added bonus.
Lynne
I have been blessed as well!
I am so blessed to have been embraced by her love that she shared with all. Mom Beall had the ability to look into the window of my soul and see the attitude of my heart. It seems that each time she spoke, she was causing my heart to be exposed, enlightened, and changed. I didn’t dare approach her with a situation I was experiencing, as I knew she would ask, “Well, what did God say?” Thank you for sharing your “Grandma”.