Soul Scientist

My maternal grandfather was a high school teacher and principal for over 40 years. Grandpap was beloved by many for his passion for learning, discovery, and helping others do the same. Every activity, every moment was an opportunity to learn something new. His motto was “never stop learning.”

And he did exactly that up until the day he died.

But his legacy for learning and passion for helping people lives on in my mother and my sons (and hopefully, me, too).

Even though Grandpap knew a lot of things about a lot of things, he always had a hospitable heart which invited others to stop and tell him what was important to them. He truly wanted to know all about that hobby or handcraft, that book or bread recipe, that show or story or such.

Every night, Grandpap would write notes about what he’d learned that day in his little book. Notes could include such things as the weather or windshield wipers, conversations or a continuing education course, or a restaurant menu or maintenance needed on his car. He faithfully recorded the details of life because the people who were part of those details were important to him.

People he knew (or had yet to meet) were the reasons why it always took Grandpap far longer than expected to run errands. He saw people of all ages, colors, socioeconomic status, and education as well worth his time to stop, lean in, and listen. He truly wanted to hear their stories, shake their hands, ask about their families, and grin at their babies.

I wonder if Jesus might’ve done the same with people during His time here on earth as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23 NIV) …

Scripture tells us Jesus stopped, listened, answered, healed, prayed, and comforted. Scripture also tells us He is to be our model for life, in all ways, at all times, and with all peoples.

As importantly, Scripture tells us because of our relationship to God as Christ-followers, our names are written in His book forever (see Revelation 21:27).

Every tear we cry is kept and recorded (see Psalm 56:8).

Every word is known before it’s said (see Psalm 139:13-16).

Every longing will be satisfied even without our understanding of them (see Psalm 37:4).

Even though Grandpap’s little books may be gone and his words (mostly) forgotten, God’s Words to us in His book of Scripture will never disappear. They’ll never fade in power nor change over time (see Isaiah 40:8). And hopefully, they’ll never be forgotten by us either.

Similarly, prayers from faithful pray-ers will never be relegated to someone’s attic or basement as unimportant or unimpressive.

Those prayers not spoken but simply breathed will never be ignored or unheard.

Those prayers that stretch past our faith into falling on our faces will never be lost or left behind.

Those prayers we don’t understand but know we’re supposed to pray and believe will not fall flat in the dust around and in us.

        And one day, one glorious day, all those scraps of prayers we’ve lifted up and we’ve cried over through many long days and nights will be gathered up into golden bowls. Then, these bowls full of prayers from multitudes of pray-ers will be presented as beautifully precious offerings to our King Jesus (see Revelation 5:8).

With all that in mind, I’ll say to you what my Grandpap might’ve said, “so, pray on, friend, pray on!”

James 5:16b NTFE When a righteous person prays, that prayer carries great power.

Stay tuned – part 2 of this devotional will be posted next week here – until then, keep on, keeping on with praying for faith and praying in faith just like both of my grandfathers and grandmothers would’ve done.

Thank You, Jesus, for the legacy of faith handed down to me. Please, Jesus, may our grandchildren know that legacy of faith from us, too.

written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2026.