Today, welcome Sharon Garlock Spiegel
on her blog tour for Generations!
It was a vicious cycle…
When Edward Garlock was sober, he was a kind, generous hard-working farmer, providing for his wife and eight children. But when he was drunk, he transformed into a bully capable of absolute cruelty. Then one day two young men showed up on his doorstep, putting into motion an amazing series of events. Edward soon found himself at a campground in Framingham, Massachusetts, walking into a revival tent. The Holy Spirit got ahold of him, changing not only his life, but the future of thousands of others through him. Sharon Garlock Spiegel shares her grandfather’s story of redemption, forgiveness and healing—and the impact one life can have on the following Generations.The book, Generations is a story of redemption. It is my grandfather’s story—but reaches far beyond his conversion.
The key to the impact that extended beyond him and my grandmother was forgiveness. She, of course rejoiced in the dramatic change that took place in her husband and it seems she readily forgave him.
His abusive behavior that raged against her and the children spanned many years. Accepting the new man, created by the redeeming power of the cross—turning from loathing him to once again loving him is something she never discussed—that I am aware of.
However, seeing the love they shared until they were parted by death, (66 years of marriage), it was obvious that she not only forgave him all the atrocities—but that she truly loved him. Did that happen instantly as his salvation, healing, and deliverance did? I have no way of knowing, but it did happen.
I thank Angela for the opportunity to do a guest blog on her site. Having read her recently released book, Where Hope Starts, it gives me a chance to think more about the forgiveness aspect of my grandparents’ story.
They had twelve children. Two died at a very young age. But of the ten remaining—7 attended Bible college and went into full time ministry. Two became missionaries, two music ministers, one an evangelist, one a pastor, and one went into children’s ministry. It amazes me that despite a childhood of living in fear and experiencing extreme physical abuse—they chose to follow their father’s faith.
To me it speaks of the power of forgiveness. I think especially of Henry, the eldest boy who was in his late teens when his father experienced salvation. He had, no doubt, been the recipient of more abuse than any of the children. Yet, he became one of the greatest pioneer missionaries to the continent of Africa.
He was a mild-mannered, soft spoken giant of a man. The adjectives that come to mind when I think of my Uncle Henry are: humble, wise, godly, gentle, and without question we would have to add forgiving.
Were he to have held bitterness against his father I do not think his life would have exemplified love and compassion as he did. He would never have risen to the position of training other missionaries later in life. He was respected and revered by everyone who knew him. He would never have experienced the walk of faith and seen the miracles he did.
Proof of this is apparent in his writings, and I quote: “…it is because of my dear dad’s prayers that we have escaped many near death experiences in the jungles of Africa.” He always honored both of his parents and I never heard him utter a word against them, nor did I ever hear him speak of the horror of his youth. (Those details came to me from a relative that clung to bitterness).
God’s power is mighty—I want Generations to show His power and strength to this generation. I shudder to think how different Grandpa’s story would have been if my grandmother and the children had not reached deep within themselves and out to Christ to forgive the monster that made their lives hell on earth. Rather they rejoiced at the change, reacting to the love and mercy of Christ, extending mercy as well.
So forgiveness played a powerful part in this story. Where would any of us be without God’s forgiveness. Dare we offer any less to others?
SHARON GARLOCK SPIEGEL loved writing even as a young girl. She often wrote stories and poetry — a skill she inherited from her grandmother, Jessie May Garlock. Today, the Assembly of God minister, school administrator and self-described “Missouri Yankee” keeps busy pastoring, teaching, and being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Still, one of her favorite activities is writing with purpose, sharing things that bless others. She and Roger, her husband of nearly fifty years, live in western Missouri and have three children and fourteen grandchildren. Connect with Sharon:
“Spiegel’s openness in sharing her family’s troubled history will leave you breathless at the depravity of human nature and the powerful work of Divine intervention.” –Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, USA.
Thank you, Angela for sharing your blog space with me today. Thank you too for writing your book: Where Hope Starts. What a powerful story of forgiveness!