A Purpose-Driven Life...

A Tribute to Henry Middleton "Middy" Raynal

It's been 8 months since I last wrote a post for this blog. Chalk it up (pardon the pun) to a busy summer with kids at home, an overload this fall semester teaching, generally too much juggling and not taking enough moments for simply breathing...but I've been wanting to get back to it. And doesn’t the turn of the New Year offer the best time to do so?  What’s my New Year Resolution?  I don’t usually make them because I can’t ever come up with anything I’m serious about nor that I think I have a chance in heaven of keeping, but this one I actually really want to be resolved toward...at least I’ll give it a go.  So, I am resolved to blog far more regularly.  We’ll see how it goes.

So, to start, the rest of the story for the hiatus is that I knew I wanted to write about my father-in-law.  Or more specifically in honor/tribute to him.  See, he died in May.  87 years wise, he left this earthly life the way most envy – going to bed for the night and not awaking in the morn.  I have wanted to speak of him and his life because while I did not know him long really, not in the scheme of the universe anyway, his impact has been deep and for that I am grateful.

It took me awhile to figure out how to say it...what words exactly would convey what I mean to impart, but then I realized I was goin’ have to borrow a phrase, specifically, the "purpose-driven life."  There's the nod to Rick Warren, which most of you who know me recognize is kind of funny, perhaps even ironic, because he and all that is usually connected, or associated, with him is not really my cup of tea, but the phrase works.  See, above all else, my father-in-law, Middy, lived a truly purpose-driven life!

He was one of four children, a preacher's kid, and he, too, went into the family business – carrying forth the next generation (6th in fact!) of Presbyterian ministering.  Yes, I said 6^th generation!  He pursued this vocation following his undergraduate education at Davidson College with seminary at Union in Richmond, Virginia.  He then went on to pastor in small to mid-size churches for the better part of 50 years. 

By the time I met Middy, he was enjoying well-deserved retirement, but I learned much from him, including these few things that I share now in his honor:

• Sometimes presence without words speaks volumes more than words ever could.

•  Being guided and led by one’s sense of vocation – what one truly believes she/he is called to be doing in this life and world – offers greater blessing than any amount of money or materials ever could.  That’s the “purpose-driven” part.  Middy got that.  And not in some ego-driven way.  I don’t mean that.  Middy wasn’t a man with a Messiah-complex, or some sense that ‘Oh, if I pastor this church, preach these great sermons, all will follow and my church will be the best church, etc. etc.’  NO!  Middy was far more humble and full of humility than that.  He never referred to the church as “his” because he fully understand it as God’s church.  Not only did he get being called, he was clear that he was called as God’s servant to further God’s purposes. 

• Recognizing the gift of family/friends/loved ones is the key to happiness and all the blessings that follow in one’s life.  Without them first, the rest does not follow.  I think he got this in a fierce way, ya know.  And if there’s something to be fierce about, it’s the bonds we have with our loved ones and holding tight to them.  I saw that in Middy. 

• Standing up for justice is not easy or comfortable or without sacrifice.  It is still the thing to do.  Middy did.  With Florence and their family, I have heard the stories from the days of the Civil Rights movement in rural North Carolina, as well as the period when Middy worked with alcoholics and in mental health advocacy.  Standing up for what was just is part of his legacy to all of us and all who knew him.  

• “Love you good” was his phrase of endearment when saying goodbye.  It’s a great phrase!

There are more things I could say, I know.  But without going on and on, I just wanted to express how much it means to me to have known Middy, to have had such an opportunity, for knowing someone who really knew his purpose in this world, believed it as God intended it to be, and then embraced it with joy, vitality, grace, intelligence, generosity of spirit, and steadfast faith has been and remains a priceless gift in my life.  So, thank you, Middy!  If that place and space of eternal Peace is your idea of perfection, I’m sure you have endless pipe tobacco, a nip of the best scotch, countless editions of the Washington Post, a glimpse of the season the Redskins have had (and are still having – go RGIII), and plenty of wonderful conversation with those who went before you.  Love you good.  Love you always.

 ~ Your Grateful Daughter-in-Law, Donna