It was 41 years ago today that my grandfather passed away. Even after all these years, his influence on my life is still very real. I know that may sound a little cliché, but it is the truth.

My grandfather was larger than life to me. He was a man of few words, but his actions often spoke louder than anything he could have said. He was certainly not a perfect man, not by any stretch of the imagination. But one of the greatest blessings of my life was getting to witness the change that took place in him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I had the privilege of walking alongside him during those years and seeing firsthand what God was doing in his life. And I can tell you, it was real. He was a changed man, and that change impacted more people than he probably ever realized.

One thing I have thought about often over the years is that I got to experience a side of my grandfather that even his own children didn’t fully get to see. I believe that was one of his greatest regrets toward the end of his life. He couldn’t go back and change the kind of father he had been, but he could choose to be a different man moving forward. And by God’s grace, he did.

Isn’t it interesting how grandparents sometimes have the opportunity to become the people with their grandchildren that they wish they had been with their own children? I think there is a lesson in that for all of us. We can’t change yesterday, but we can certainly allow God to change who we are today.

Many years ago, I preached a sermon entitled “Ten Life Lessons I Learned from My Grandfather.” These weren’t necessarily lessons he sat me down and taught me. Most of them were things I learned simply by watching him live his life. Some came through his successes, others through his struggles, and a few through the ordinary moments we shared together.

I’ve often thought that one day I might sit down and write a book about these lessons. Who knows? Maybe one day I will.

But for now, on the anniversary of his passing, I wanted to share them with you.

Ten Life Lessons I Learned from My Grandfather

1. You never know which moment will make the greatest impact on someone’s life. Sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest impressions.
2. You cannot go back and change the past. But you can learn from it and allow God to use it to shape your future.
3. Don’t give up when the odds are against you. Some things in life are worth fighting for, even when the road is difficult.
4. In death, there is victory. For those who belong to Christ, death does not have the final word.
5. The best Creole is the one you make with your grandfather. Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned around a stove, sharing stories, laughter, and time together.
6. Only Jesus can truly change a life. I’ve seen it firsthand, and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
7. Life is better when it’s organized. A little planning and preparation can go a long way.
8. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Take pride in your work, give it your best, and don’t settle for halfway.
9. It’s never too late to serve God. As long as God gives you breath, He can still use you to make a difference.
10. You cannot buy forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t something we can purchase or earn. It must be freely given, just as God has so graciously forgiven us through Jesus Christ.

Forty-one years have passed, and I still find myself thinking about my grandfather and the lessons he taught me. Some of those lessons mean even more to me today than they did when I was younger.

I suppose that’s part of the legacy we leave behind. Long after we’re gone, our words, our actions, and the way we lived our lives continue to influence those who knew us.

My grandfather wasn’t perfect, and neither am I. But I am grateful that I got to see what the grace of God can do in a man’s life. That may very well be the greatest lesson he ever taught me.

So, let me ask you two questions. Which of these ten lessons speaks to you the most? And what is one life lesson you learned from your grandfather or someone who had a lasting impact on your life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.