I didn’t stand a chance at not falling in love with our Savior when my first experiences with Him were watching His life, death, and resurrection play out before my eyes over and over.
To this day there is a part in the play that grips my heart like nothing else and brings back a flood of emotions. Many of you will agree with me. It’s the song “Watch the Lamb” by Ray Boltz. Dewayne performed that song for years. Several of those years were with his sons singing with him. Can’t you still hear Dewayne’s clear beautiful voice crack with emotion as he sang the words, "I took them in my arms; we turned and faced the cross and I said dear children, watch the lamb."
Dewayne embodied the father who loved His Savior and taught his boys to follow Him in that song. He embodied him because that is who he is in his everyday life.
Words will never be able to express how grateful I am to call Dewayne Self my father-in-law, for my children to love him deeply as their Paw-Paw, and to reap the benefits of being married to a son they raised to be such an incredible man of God.
I am so unworthy of writing something to even touch the honor that Dewayne deserves. I simply know that I am thankful to be loved by him and to have his influence in my life. From my young years I have watched him give to people when he didn’t know any eyes were watching. I have learned lessons of diligence and hard work from him. I know of COUNTLESS men whose lives he led by his example right to Christ. I have sat and talked with him for hours around the kitchen table about God’s Word and I am inspired by His passion to learn more and draw closer to God through His Word. He has used his skilled hands to build for God’s Kingdom. He has used his gifted voice to sing of God’s Love. He has given more energy to strengthening God’s people than anyone I know. And, he has loved so many of us so well through his words and actions.
I want to open this blog up and invite you to leave a comment for Dewayne to read. Take a minute to let him know how special he is to you and how he has influenced your life.
***(You can post anonymously and sign your name. Since there has been difficulty posting comments, you can also send me a message and I will pass it on to him.)
***(You can post anonymously and sign your name. Since there has been difficulty posting comments, you can also send me a message and I will pass it on to him.)
How could one forget that moment in the Passion Play?! What a time of reflection on what the cross is, and what Christ did for each of us! I still remember those days as if they were yesterday, and am sure I will cling to those memories, and the fact that they were from a father with his own sons, proclaiming the gift from our Father with His only Son is even more wonderful. Dewayne has made such an impact on many lives and not a week goes by that somebody doesn't ask me how he is, and tell me a story of how he touched their life in some way, shape, or form. From our church secretary who he delivered to at Bloomfield, to one of my best friends who said Dewayne kept him from traveling down a long road of destruction in his college years, the stories pour in and tell wonderful stories of his life and the difference he's made. I love that man like another father, and that family as if they were just an extension of mine. When somebody leaves a legacy, it's obvious, and in this case - it's obvious in how his children have turned out. Oh, to think of the day when we're all reunited with Willy Heath and Mallory! What stories we'll share, but more importantly, how we'll glorify Jesus' name around the throne! "What a day of rejoicing that will be!" We love you guys - thanks for all you are to our family, and all you'll be!
ReplyDeleteTears are flowing...thank you for doing this, Heather. Dewayne Self is definitely a man to be honored and celebrated. I watched Dewayne and Wendy interact with their boys when the boys were so small...I always thought I wanted to be just like them. They both are incredible role models and I know they are part of the reason I chose ministry. Their example of being God's servant is one I try to follow.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to Dewayne. The first time I watched the Passion Play, many years ago, that was for me one of the most touching moments of the play. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDewayne....where do I even begin? Lots of years, and lots of memories. You guys have been a part of my life for longer than I can even remember...literally! And like Josh said...your family truly does seem like an extension of my own. I could talk about memories of playing ball in the yard, seeing you bring a doe home from the woods, or shooting my first bow with you and Darryl and Patrick Murphy in between our homes. You influenced me in ways you probably never realized. Those stories are nice, but they are not what immediately comes to mind when I think of you. In my adult years, you took an interest in me spiritually, and for that I just want to sy thank you. I never said as much when I should have, but whether it was during Sunday school or more recently dealing with a very difficult situation, you personally took the time to reach out to me. I'm not very good at expressing it, but your interest and concern in not only my spiritual growth but my well being in general has meant more to me than you know. That being said...thank you Dewayne, for your heart, for your friendship, for your faith, and for your courage to live that faith as an example to many of us. Love you man....
ReplyDeleteDewayne
ReplyDeleteWe go way back on that road of life's experiences, but the one thing that is constant is your unwaivering faith in the Lord. You are a servant, an encourager, a teacher and an imitator of Christ. You are a devoted, loving husband and father. Just look at your wonderful offspring! When it comes to family, you successfully wear many hats whether it be a son, father, grandfather or brother. Thank you for your friendship; you are a blessing to know and we love you!
As others have noted, the memories go way back. Growing up as next door neighbors to the Self's, the commonalities seemed endless: three boys, baseball games, church activities, UPS, shooting hoops on the driveway. I just assumed that's what any normal family should look like. There are probably several moments from those days that I could think of, but I'll share one certain story that impacted me as much as any.
ReplyDeleteIt was actually the day of Heath's funeral. Obviously, it was a difficult day for many, but no one could have felt more pain or loss on that day than Dewayne and Wendy. I remember sitting there with our family, probably 6 or 7 rows back in a packed Sikeston Field House, waiting for the services to start. The pallbearers, some of Heath's closest friends, were sitting at the front. As the music started, the family made their way in for the service. As Dewayne and Wendy walked in, I can distictly remember Dewayne walking straight over to the pallbearers, shaking their hands, looking each of them in the eye, and in a solemn, but reassuring voice, saying, "Thank you."
As I reflected on that moment, I thought, "Wow, now that's how you lead people." Especially when everyone is watching. Especially in the face of adversity. Here was a man, hurting as much as he ever would, with every eye in a large crowd watching, and he walks right over to those young men on the front row, hurting greatly themselves, and with just a few words he reassures them all that somehow, some way, everything was going to be okay. He was leading, and in a way, he was healing. What Dewayne may not realize is, not only did he help those young men on the front row that day, but he also communicated faith and hope to the rest of us that were watching. For that, I'm grateful for the leadership Dewayne has provided to me and many others over the years. I only hope to do the same.
Dewayne
ReplyDeleteThe old saying "the apple does not fall far from the tree" couldn't be more true with your family. One does not have to look any further than you're own family to see the Godly impact you have had and continue to have on so many lives. I was friends with Heath (Brent too) at SEMO. I have never met two men with so much JOY that carried over to everyone in their vicinity. Heath and I became close in college and we always had a little saying we did as well as the famous banana/monkey face. When my wife and I got married you're family sent me one of my most treasured gifts that still sits in our kitchen. It is a banana holder. Every time I look at it I think of Heath and the impact he had and continues to have on my life. I know that is a direct result of your Godly character. Please know your family has had an eternal impact on my life and many others and I am very grateful for that. Stay strong and we are praying for you!!
Ryan Bandermann
"Watch the Lamb" cannot be sung by anyone as good as you, Dewayne. It always brought me closer to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteAnd I remember one moment that was especially funny to me. You were playing Jesus one year in the passion play and A.C., Jr. was one of the Roman guards. Evidently, A.C. was a little too realistic in his role because you looked at him in your Jesus costume and said, "If you hit me as hard the next time, I'm going to turn around and slug you."
Blessings to you, Wendy, boys and families.
Velma Merritt
As a Child growing up I remember so many the cherished memories of visiting and playing with my Missouri Cousin's. The downstairs den with the pool table was so much fun when we came to Aunt Jerolyns. I remember Wendy taking us to her moms to play and then I remember the boys growing up. As time went by we saw fewer and fewer of each other as our lives became busier and busier and our families continue to grow. We didn't see each other for a while and then we were there for the funeral of Heath. I will never forget the strong witness you were to me and to all in attendance as we all watched you and your family as you went thru the death of your son. I even told mom I couldn't believe how strong you were that day of the viewing and funeral. It was evident of the strong faith you had in God. I will always cherish the memories of attending Minor Baptist as a child with my family and since then to the WWW ladies retreat. You and your family are so special to me. I love you cousin and I pray for peace and comfort in your difficult times.
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Carla Pritchett Ross
Thank you for your stories. Your words are very special.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ben Nelson:
ReplyDeleteDewayne....where to begin??? From the man who was somehow mysteriously always next door as a toddler, to the man who carpooled with dad to UPS, to the man who was like a second father figure from my childhood years, to the man who led our 14 year old baseball team to the state championship, to the man who was a deacon at our church, to finally one of the strongest Christian men I've ever known. There aren't many "Pauls" in my life, and you may not have ever known it, but I was one of your Timothy's. Outside of my own father and family, I can't think of any other man I'd wanna model my walk with Christ after. The way you treat your wife, the way you raise your children, the way you love your grandchildren, how faithful you are to your church and more importantly to your God...I hope I'm able to be half the man someday that you are today. I love you, I love your son who i miss dearly (words cannot explain), and I love your family...you guys have always held a special place in my heart. I trust and lean on the sovereignty of our amazing God. To him be all glory and honor...forever. God bless, love Ben.
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DeWayne, Adam and I have gone down memory lane these last few days, remembering those 2 years we lived in Sikeston. Both Jane and Amanda were little Jewish girls in the Passion play one year, and I remember them just staring at you as you sang, "Watch The Lamb". We had so many wonderful conversations at home as the girls wanted to know what that song was really about....Amanda asked, "Mommy, did they really lose a lamb?"..it opened up for the first time, a real visual of what the Lord actually chose to do for each of us! And Jane loved to sing the song along with you. We have the fondest memories of our time in Sikeston. I found one of my dearest friends while living there...your sis, Terese! And we still get together from time to time! Your Mom and Dad showed such love to us that very first Sunday we came to Miner...asking us over for dinner after church! And you and Wendy were always so fun for us to be around! Adam had some great times with Kevin...played some competitive ball with him! All in All, the SELF family goes down in our life's journey album, as one of the finest group of people we have ever met! God is so good to have let us cross paths with all of you! Adam and I spend time every morning, lifting you and Wendy up to the Lord! May you feel God's closeness to you! With Much love and a big Hug!!...Adam and Barb...Jane and Amanda Harrington
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