God’s Man From Heaven Sent

Father’s Day gives us a special opportunity to reflect not only upon our responsibility as a father, but also upon the heritage of Godly fathers and fathers-in-law that many of us have been blessed with. In this post, I want to share some memories of my father-in-law, Marvin Beshears.

Marvin grew up in the Depression years in the Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina. He was one of 9 children, and though we marvel today at the lush landscape of those mountains, eking out an existence was a daily, toilsome task for Marvin and his parents and siblings. He was able to finish eighth grade in school before he felt a need to devote his full energies to helping his parents with the support of their large family.

When World War II called upon Marvin to serve his country, he reported for a routine physical but failed the exam—the doctor declaring that with his heart in the condition it was in, he would be doing good to make it back home.  Marvin never, in the ensuing 60 years or so that he lived following that exam, had any problems with his heart. He was not to be denied, though, in his effort to lend a hand to the war effort, so he went to the Virginia shipyards where he was employed in painting U.S. battle ships. It was there, on a radio broadcast, that he heard Rev. Charles E. Fuller of the Old-Fashioned Revival Hour from Los Angeles preach to and plead with soldiers—who were about to ship out for their foreign field assignments—to accept Christ as Savior. Marvin accepted Fuller’s invitation, invited Christ into his heart there in the shipyards, and would never be the same.

Returning to North Wilkesboro, NC, after the war, Marvin was employed in a factory as a painter. He also was a farmer of sorts, and in time became a pastor of an assembly of believers, a church he would shepherd for more than  50 years. He also had a local radio ministry and visited nursing homes weekly, as well as prisons when he had the opportunity. In that Northwestern North Carolina community, he was known as a “man of God,” and it has been said that his handshake on a deal was as good as any signature on a contract. He was a shrewd businessman in his own right, and though he never received a salary for his ministry, he was able to leave not only a good name as an heritage but also some material blessings for his posterity when he passed away in his mid-80s. He and his wife sacrificed to send their children (three of the five) to Bob Jones University. Their older son, Alphred attended BJU for a year before enlisting in the Marine Corps, after which he was deployed to Vietnam. Marvin’s ceaseless prayers for his soldier son—in his prayer place in the woods near his home—were answered, and “Al” returned from Vietnam but, sadly, died of leukemia in his early 30s.

Marvin and Carrie (his wife) celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 1991. I feel blessed beyond measure to have been a part of this special family and to have married Ellen, Marvin’s second child, whom I met when she was a freshman at BJU. Marvin’s nickname for Ellen was “fairy,” and she accompanied him to prisons and nursing homes with her accordion, on which she played hymns for the services he led.  On the occasion of their 50^th wedding anniversary, I wrote the following poem as a tribute to Marvin and Carrie. The title is “Golden Reflections”:

“Down where the Blue Ridge mountains rise,

With lofty peaks toward azure skies,

A lanky man and slender maid,

Their holy marriage vows did trade.

They both drank deep from life’s sweet cup,

With grace, their Father filled it up;

Their song of praise and lifelong story:

“To our great God be all the glory!”

Five children did this couple rear,

And each was taught the Lord to fear.

One was a soldier strong and brave,

Who loyal, fearless duty gave.

He served his God and country true,

And prayers to Heaven brought him through.

Yet death did claim him for his own,

And Al did lay his armor down.

Oldest of the five was June,

Sweet as summer’s happy tune;

Loyal to her Mom and Dad,

Never made them one day sad.

After June came Ellen “fairy,”

Gentle girl and lovely, very!

She the church piano played

While her daddy preached and prayed.

Next in line came Brenda “Po,”

Pride and joy her folks did show;

Caring, kind and giving she,

Youngest of the sisters three.

Finally came a second son,

Greg was full of life and fun;

Builder with his hands is he,

Craftsman skilled all would agree.

As years on years flew by each faster,

The Cricket Church had but one pastor;

“Brother Marvin” was his name,

And preaching Jesus was his fame.

In Church of God or on the air,

He calls his fellow man to prayer;

And pleads for sinners to repent,

He is God’s man from Heaven sent.

His help-meet dear of fifty years,

Has been his stay through toil and tears;

She’s always been close by his side,

And ever faithful does abide.

Their children bless their names today,

And all who know them join to say,

“Wishes all and tidings merry,

Brother Marvin and Sister Carrie!”

ALS/September, 1991

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