Glenda Ryans Memorial

Introduction

For those of you who may not know, my name is Jarred Pettijohn and I am Glenda’s only grandson, and I feel extremely blessed to be able to stand before you today to proclaim to you the faith that my grandma Glenda had in Jesus Christ.

I would like to first point out that everyone who has participated in today’s memorial service was family. Which is fitting because Glenda loved and cherished her family deeply. I think we all know how deeply pleased she would be knowing that this service was not conducted by someone she didn’t know, but is being conducted by those who knew her, and loved her, and cherished her so very much.

When I think about my grandma Glenda, or as my kids knew her, Mimi, there are so many memories that fill my mind. I remember how much I loved her pies. I remember how she loved Christmas time and how as a kid I thought she had the biggest Christmas tree in the world with the coolest lights and decorations that I had ever seen. I remember how happy she always was when she had all her kids and grand kids under one roof for Christmas or Easter or Thanksgiving. I remember how incredibly talented she was at painting and designing and the huge sign she hand painted for our wedding, something we will cherish forever. I remember the Bible she gave me for my high school graduation and how much I turned to it during my college years when I finally got my head on straight. I remember sitting around the table with both grandma and grandpa as we studied God’s word together and how when a scripture really hit home, how excited both of them would get visibly excited at the amazing blessings God has given us. And I remember the remarkable love that grandma and grandpa had for each other, as evidenced by a marriage that spanned nearly 54 years.

There are so many words that pop into my mind when I think of ways to describe grandma. She was kind and loving, encouraging and supportive, compassionate and forgiving, creative and talented.

I know that there is no possible way for me to say everything that I wish I could say about grandma this morning, but I would like to summarize my memories of her this morning into a word that I think demonstrates her faith in God and in His Word.

That word is selfless.

Selfless

Selfless is defined as being concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own needs and desires.

Glenda was the most selfless person that I’ve ever met. She would give you anything, even if it meant she would have to go without if she thought you needed it.

In fact there are several scriptures that I would like to read to you this morning that when I read them, I think grandma must have had them written on her heart, doing her best to be like Christ.

In fact, there are

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Luke 6:35 ESV

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

The life that grandma lived will forever stand in my memory as an outstanding example of selflessness and putting the needs of others first. In a world full of greed and fighting and evil, a life of sacrifice and selflessness stands out and shines brightly as a great example of a life crafted and molded by God’s Word.

In that same spirit of selflessness this morning, I’m going to share with you this morning her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior.

I had the privilege to speak to the Fort Cobb graduating class of 2018 Thursday evening, and what I conveyed to them was that though I wished them success in taking the education they had obtained and finding that fulfilling job which will allow them to support and care for their families, my true prayer for them was that they would heed the words of Christ that he spoke during what is called His Sermon on the mount as recorded in . That they wouldn’t be anxious about anything, but that they would “seek first the kingdom of God, and that they would.

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Glenda was never wealthy by worldly standards. She never had stockpiles of silver or gold or property here on earth, but she

Matthew 6:

In that same spirit of selflessness this morning, I’m going to share with you this morning her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior.

Faith

There were 2 verses that Glenda wanted to be shared today, and they both show that same spirit of selfless way in which she lived.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ESV

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Isa 31:20-22

Isaiah 30:20–22 ESV

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”

Isaiah 30:20–21 ESV

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.