Eva Kate and Marshall Love “Brother Awrence”
Marshal and Eva Kate with Mommy and Grammy
You know, when I was little we used to sing a song in church that went “Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before.”
That song came to mind when I read this story, emailed to me by Margaret Purifoy. The reason this means so much to me, is that I used to be the sixth grade Sunday School teacher of Eva Kate’s mommy, Rachel. I used to laughingly say that Rachel caused me to be more prepared than I normally would have been, because if I missed a beat, she would start teaching the class! (grin) I tried not to cry as I read about her little girl’s reaction to The Grumpy Monk.
Rachel Malone and her little girl, Eva Kate
Eva Kate and Marshall Don’t Get Tired of “The Grumpy Monk”
We recently had the pleasure of visiting our two year old twin grandchildren in Van Buren, Arkansas. I had just purchased a copy of The Grumpy Monk, and so I was anxious to read the story to them. I wasn’t sure that it would keep their attention as they are very active boy/girl twins at age 2 1/2. I read the story to them at bedtime and they were locked in on the story and listened intently. The next morning, the first thing Eva Kate said was, “Let’s read Brother Awrence!” She commented as I read things like, “He’s sad,” or “He’s crying.,” etc. Marshall said, “Look at his tears.” Our little grandchildren were spell bound by the book. When we finished reading it, they said, “Read it again!” So, I couldn’t resist and so we read it for the third time. After lunch, it was time to read a book before nap time, and Eva Kate was insistent that we read “Brother Awrence!” I read it for the fourth time and that time we talked about Brother Lawrence’s prayer and changed attitude and how God had helped him feel better and not be grumpy. What a wonderful experience sharing this book with our grandchildren and watching their reaction to God’s truth at such a young age.
—Margaret Purifoy (Grammy)
And as I was perusing Rachel and the Purifoy’s facebook pages for pics, I found this one of Paul and Margaret that I just had to post. One of God’s biggest blessings to me is my extended family of brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so honored to be able to tell stories to some of your children! Isn’t heaven going to be fun?
Our favorite "song leader" and his wife
The books are here! Praise the Lord! Now we can help children learn how to practice the presence of God. It is really quite emotional when you finally see the result of three years worth of work! All I can say is praise God from whom all blessings flow! I just want to hug each book, (but I won’t. I want them to look nice for the children!)
The Grumpy Monk is dedicated to my dear friend, David Fick. David went to be with the Lord in 2005. But hardly a day goes by that I do not remember him. He was quite simply, one of the sweetest people I have ever met.
My husband E.J. and I joined Metropolitan Baptist Church in OKC in 2002. We only knew 2 people there, Paul and Margaret Purifoy. We decided on the Discipleship Sunday School Class, and that is where we met David and Ruth Fick, along with thirty-some-odd other amazing and wonderful Christians. David was the Director of our class. David and Ruth just took us under their wings and loved us.
We had a Sunday School Dinner group at our house, and we fixed a lot of middle eastern food. I remember that David especially loved what he called, “That big mound of rice.” It was a joy to share my husband, E.J.’s heritage with David and Ruth.
I appreciate somebody who calls a spade a spade. And that was David. He was forthright but tender all at the same time. Not hardly a week went by when he was not moved to tears during Sunday School. He would begin to share something with us, and his eyes would just overflow every time. He just couldn’t help it.
In 2005 I published a new edition of Answers For New Christians. David faithfully asked about the project, and how it was going. He asked in a way that I knew he really cared, not just to be polite. (It’s pretty lonely and scary sometimes when you are a fledgling publisher!) One time a shark who preys on small publishers was after me to sign up with his company to supposedly get me national distribution. (For a big pricetag and binding contract.) David said, “He’s trying to get a hold of your work, Robin. You shouldn’t sign up with him.” I didn’t, and then later ran into some people online who were sorry for being affiliated with this fellow.
One time I went over to the Fick’s to pray about my books. I think David was already sick, but instead of wanting prayer for himself, he wanted to pray about the success of Answers For New Christians and Little Light Press.
I began writing The Grumpy Monk in 2006. As I read the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, which the Grumpy Monk is adapted from, I couldn’t help but think of David. Brother Lawrence talks about doing every thing for the glory of God, no matter how small. The last three chapters of the book are about glorifying God during illness. Well, David had that down.
When David got sick, he did not feel like he was ready to go to heaven just yet. He knew that Ruth still needed him. But when we found out that his esophogeal cancer was not getting better, he resigned himself to the will of God. He trusted God’s plan, even though he did not understand.
I pray that each one of you will get to know just one Christian in your life as genuine as David Fick. I thank God that He allowed me to be his friend, and I claim today all of the sweet and wonderful prayers that David said on behalf of Little Light Press. To God be the Glory!
