Tribute to My Brother Jerry L. Ginther:
"The Crossroads Man," by Ron Ginther
From Jerry's Favorite Psalm:
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them,
they are more in number than the sand;
when I awake, I am still with thee."--Psalm 139: 17,18
When Jerry's dust lay in his apartment, lifeless,
he was really in heaven, sharing happiness!
What he left behind was little, materially,*
but he gained far more, eternally.
These aren't just nice things a brother can say,
they come from knowing a life lived the Bible way.
Loving God, loving others, that is what it's all about,
The Gospel is clear, which you don't have to stand on a street corner and shout.
His father was no man his son could admire,
yet Jerry's mother had faith no money could buy her.
She triumphed over every test and trouble,
and he saw her love the most unlovable soul.
Like her he exercised a heart of compassion.
He didn't judge but served people with a passion.
Day laborer, hotel bellhop, airport wheelchair pusher,
he served with all his heart--just like her!
You couldn't outgive him, he was so generous,
on birthdays he give you balloons, gifts and TWO cards, no less!
One card with a signature, that's what meagerly folks give,
but Jerry pulled out all the stops, that's how he chose to live.
His sense of humor was second to none,
He'd soon get you laughing, he was so much fun.
Yes, he had issues, and struggled with them,
but his heart was paved with gold, like New Jerusalem.
It was that gold that surfaced, no matter how dark his day,
it shone in his clinging to Jesus right up to his last earthly day.
I'll never forget his singing "Amazing Grace,"*
his whole body trembling, with an upturned face.
He honored his mother, whom he sang it for,
but really it was his Savior he loved even more.
I noticed some fine folks were embarrassed to see Jerry sing,
he didn't have what's called "professional voice training."
But he sang from his heart, with the voice that God gave,
and I am certain it washed over God's heart with its praise like a wave.
A "Crossroads Man," he helped people who fell down,
he had a word of cheer, or a helping hand so rare to be found.
He's pop up just when you had given up hope,
and give you what you needed so you could get up and cope.
I tell you the truth, there was glory that day,
when Jerry flew to Jesus's arms at the end of his way.
All his issues gone, his questions answered,
he found peace beyond understanding, just as we've heard.
It's not what you can do, friend, but Grace free and God-given,
that'll win you too a wonderful life in heaven.
