H. A. Ironside
Classic re-post from 2001
My Grandpa Shipley was a man of few words, but they were usually well chosen ones.
When you left the family would form a circle and hold hands and Grandpa would pray– in a few well-chosen words. Then the last thing before you went down the steps and through the breezeway he would often repeat his little life motto; “Remember whose you are.”
His motto had a double meaning. He always wanted you to remember that you belong to the Lord and that you belong to him, too. I think it also served as a gentle reminder to live up to your name and maintain a good testimony for Christ. He had the initials RWYA printed on pencils and cards as a testimony to his family, friends, and customers.
In the last few months of Grandma’s life she would often say; “Grandpa just isn’t Grandpa.” He would forget so much. He struggled to put a complete sentence together. Sometimes he forgot the name of a loved one. The confusion that clouded his mind frustrated him. A few days ago he even failed to recognize his own favorite song “Overshadowed” which had always moved him to tears before. On a recent visit his daughter, Sue asked him, “Daddy, do you remember whose you are?” He remembered and answered immediately; “I’m the Lord’s”
When you think about it, it really doesn’t matter what you forget as long as you… …Remember Whose You Are.
“Overshadowed” is a beautiful song about the love of Christ written by H. A. Ironside, once pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.