1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,580 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,621 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:19,511 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. Life Audio. 13 00:01:21,571 --> 00:01:28,371 Speaker 2: Hello and welcome back to another episode of Story Behind Podcast. 14 00:01:28,471 --> 00:01:34,450 Speaker 2: Inspiring stories. Positive podcasts. Headlines brought to you from gottube.com 15 00:01:34,691 --> 00:01:38,871 Speaker 2: where you can watch without worry and lifeaudio.com. 16 00:01:39,031 --> 00:01:41,071 Speaker 3: I'm your host, Sean McAvoy. 17 00:01:41,871 --> 00:01:45,351 Speaker 2: And story behind, if you are a newcomer is a 18 00:01:45,411 --> 00:01:49,051 Speaker 2: glimpse into positive and encouraging stories that might be hidden, 19 00:01:49,321 --> 00:01:52,321 Speaker 2: just tucked a little bit behind some of the news 20 00:01:52,381 --> 00:01:56,921 Speaker 2: that maybe isn't as encouraging in our daily walk. I 21 00:01:56,961 --> 00:02:00,301 Speaker 2: can tell you it's, uh, done my heart and my 22 00:02:00,341 --> 00:02:02,981 Speaker 2: mind a world of good to dig into these stories 23 00:02:03,041 --> 00:02:06,221 Speaker 2: that my team finds here at Salem Web Network for us, 24 00:02:06,661 --> 00:02:09,941 Speaker 2: where I am the executive director of content, and that 25 00:02:10,060 --> 00:02:13,101 Speaker 2: I try to be surprised by these stories and not 26 00:02:13,141 --> 00:02:15,941 Speaker 2: know them as much in advance, just so I can 27 00:02:16,001 --> 00:02:19,441 Speaker 2: have some of the same reaction that you do. And today, 28 00:02:19,581 --> 00:02:22,891 Speaker 2: I've got a theme for you about honoring and respecting 29 00:02:23,171 --> 00:02:26,870 Speaker 2: our elders. I know it's not in vogue today, and 30 00:02:28,231 --> 00:02:31,491 Speaker 2: I do feel for those of you out there who 31 00:02:32,071 --> 00:02:36,591 Speaker 2: may have relationships that are strained within your family, maybe 32 00:02:36,631 --> 00:02:41,271 Speaker 2: with your children or grandchildren, especially when they happen along 33 00:02:41,430 --> 00:02:47,650 Speaker 2: political lines. I do believe that respect is earned, but 34 00:02:47,711 --> 00:02:51,210 Speaker 2: the Lord does tell us several times in Scripture to 35 00:02:51,431 --> 00:02:55,291 Speaker 2: give our elders the benefit of doubt for their wisdom 36 00:02:55,591 --> 00:02:59,090 Speaker 2: and the time, and at least let them explain And 37 00:02:59,151 --> 00:03:02,751 Speaker 2: so I have two encouraging tales of a granddaughter and 38 00:03:02,770 --> 00:03:06,561 Speaker 2: a grandson today who have honored their elders in very 39 00:03:06,641 --> 00:03:10,041 Speaker 2: special and particular ways. And I'll be happy to share 40 00:03:10,101 --> 00:03:20,710 Speaker 2: those with you right after this. All right, let's get. 41 00:03:20,611 --> 00:03:21,231 Speaker 3: Going with this. 42 00:03:21,311 --> 00:03:26,061 Speaker 2: Our first story today is from Heather Riggleman. This is 43 00:03:26,121 --> 00:03:30,201 Speaker 2: about a granddaughter who honored her late grandmother by wearing 44 00:03:30,261 --> 00:03:36,091 Speaker 2: her wedding dress just as it was. Catherine Bartlett said 45 00:03:36,151 --> 00:03:39,791 Speaker 2: yes to the dress of her little girl dreams, and 46 00:03:39,911 --> 00:03:43,231 Speaker 2: it already carried one unforgettable love story down the aisle 47 00:03:43,291 --> 00:03:48,101 Speaker 2: thanks to her grandmother, Patricia. Catherine was close to her grandmother, 48 00:03:48,121 --> 00:03:53,151 Speaker 2: and they had always shared a very special bond. So, 49 00:03:53,371 --> 00:03:56,191 Speaker 2: when she began planning her wedding, she decided to wear 50 00:03:56,491 --> 00:04:01,111 Speaker 2: her grandmother's wedding dress. And what was so astonishing is 51 00:04:01,151 --> 00:04:04,461 Speaker 2: that the dress fit as though it had been waiting 52 00:04:04,541 --> 00:04:09,601 Speaker 2: for this very bride. Even Catherine's grandfather wiped away tears 53 00:04:10,361 --> 00:04:14,261 Speaker 2: as he watched the woman he loved reflected in his granddaughter, 54 00:04:14,921 --> 00:04:19,951 Speaker 2: whom they helped raise. In that quiet moment, generations stood together. 55 00:04:21,411 --> 00:04:26,020 Speaker 2: One bride had walked away. toward forever, and now followed 56 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:32,031 Speaker 2: another on the same sacred path. Sadly, Patricia passed away 57 00:04:32,091 --> 00:04:36,911 Speaker 2: before Catherine's wedding, but Catherine couldn't imagine wearing anything else. 58 00:04:37,791 --> 00:04:40,931 Speaker 2: She didn't alter the gown in any way, including a 59 00:04:40,991 --> 00:04:44,171 Speaker 2: tiny tear beneath one of the dress's arms. She didn't 60 00:04:44,191 --> 00:04:48,351 Speaker 2: even have it dry-cleaned. When she was asked about wearing 61 00:04:48,411 --> 00:04:52,511 Speaker 2: this special gown, she had the perfect statement. Why would 62 00:04:52,571 --> 00:04:57,691 Speaker 2: I fix perfection, she said. Because some things become more 63 00:04:57,711 --> 00:05:02,591 Speaker 2: beautiful with time. The worn places are not flaws. They're 64 00:05:02,611 --> 00:05:06,541 Speaker 2: evidence that love has lived here. Now the dress has 65 00:05:06,581 --> 00:05:10,941 Speaker 2: been carefully boxed once again, tucked away with a handwritten note, 66 00:05:12,001 --> 00:05:14,381 Speaker 2: bearing not one wedding date but two. 67 00:05:15,581 --> 00:05:18,641 Speaker 3: A bride from 1966, a bride from 2026. 68 00:05:21,871 --> 00:05:25,691 Speaker 2: And perhaps one day, one of Catherine's daughters or granddaughters 69 00:05:25,731 --> 00:05:29,521 Speaker 2: will open that box, run her fingers across the same 70 00:05:30,351 --> 00:05:36,001 Speaker 2: delicate fabric, and discover that the most beautiful inheritance isn't 71 00:05:36,041 --> 00:05:36,881 Speaker 2: the dress at all. 72 00:05:38,361 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 3: It's the faithful love that has always filled it. 73 00:05:43,621 --> 00:05:48,401 Speaker 2: As it says in Psalm 145, verse 4, One generation 74 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:49,701 Speaker 2: commends your works to another. 75 00:05:50,461 --> 00:05:52,510 Speaker 3: They tell, of your mighty acts. 76 00:05:54,291 --> 00:05:56,401 Speaker 2: I'll be back in just a second with a story 77 00:05:57,341 --> 00:06:09,761 Speaker 2: of a grandson honoring his grandparents right after this. All right, 78 00:06:09,861 --> 00:06:14,251 Speaker 2: let's get going with our second story of what is 79 00:06:14,311 --> 00:06:20,291 Speaker 2: now our final episode of October of on Story Behind Podcast. 80 00:06:20,371 --> 00:06:23,921 Speaker 2: I can't believe all the cold weather and the holidays 81 00:06:24,041 --> 00:06:27,881 Speaker 2: are coming up for many and most of us. This 82 00:06:27,940 --> 00:06:33,941 Speaker 2: story is also about respecting and honoring those who came 83 00:06:33,981 --> 00:06:39,011 Speaker 2: before us, our elders. This story is written by Michaela Gordonei, 84 00:06:39,731 --> 00:06:43,131 Speaker 2: and it's about a grandson who honored his grandparents' nearly 85 00:06:43,151 --> 00:06:50,271 Speaker 2: 60-year marriage with a surprise church vow renewal. A grandson 86 00:06:50,311 --> 00:06:54,030 Speaker 2: surprised his grandparents with a vow renewal ceremony after nearly 87 00:06:54,031 --> 00:06:58,401 Speaker 2: 60 years of marriage. He touched more than just his 88 00:06:58,421 --> 00:07:01,741 Speaker 2: grandparents as the video of the ceremony went viral on TikTok, 89 00:07:02,201 --> 00:07:03,340 Speaker 2: warming hearts everywhere. 90 00:07:04,201 --> 00:07:05,981 Speaker 3: It's just as sweet as sweet can be. 91 00:07:07,741 --> 00:07:13,691 Speaker 2: The grandson, Philip Winnem, a 27-year-old photographer from Texas, began 92 00:07:13,731 --> 00:07:17,471 Speaker 2: to organize the ceremony in April. He gathered friends and 93 00:07:17,511 --> 00:07:23,001 Speaker 2: family for a date in July. The grandparents, 78-year-olds Becky 94 00:07:23,101 --> 00:07:26,481 Speaker 2: and David Roach, thought they were just going to renew 95 00:07:26,521 --> 00:07:28,061 Speaker 2: their vows and pose for photos. 96 00:07:28,901 --> 00:07:29,901 Speaker 3: They didn't know. 97 00:07:30,101 --> 00:07:32,801 Speaker 2: That Philip was taking them to the Louisiana church where 98 00:07:32,861 --> 00:07:35,911 Speaker 2: they married, where all their friends and family were waiting 99 00:07:35,931 --> 00:07:39,811 Speaker 2: for them. I wanted to put on a vow renewal 100 00:07:40,091 --> 00:07:43,531 Speaker 2: as a way to honor my grandparents, God's faithfulness in 101 00:07:43,571 --> 00:07:46,581 Speaker 2: their life, and the love and devotion they bring to 102 00:07:46,721 --> 00:07:51,761 Speaker 2: our whole family, Philip said. The couple celebrated 59 years 103 00:07:51,821 --> 00:07:55,371 Speaker 2: of marriage in July, but their togetherness record goes back 104 00:07:55,511 --> 00:07:58,671 Speaker 2: to the sixth grade when David moved to the same 105 00:07:58,751 --> 00:08:02,551 Speaker 2: Louisiana town as Becky. By ninth grade, they were dating. 106 00:08:03,791 --> 00:08:06,351 Speaker 2: David was the captain of the high school basketball team, 107 00:08:07,011 --> 00:08:09,291 Speaker 2: and Becky encouraged him from the sidelines as one of 108 00:08:09,331 --> 00:08:13,221 Speaker 2: the school's cheerleaders. They both decided to go to Louisiana 109 00:08:13,261 --> 00:08:19,001 Speaker 2: Tech University after graduation. They built a life together. modeling 110 00:08:19,061 --> 00:08:23,001 Speaker 2: for their children and grandchildren what real love looks like. 111 00:08:24,631 --> 00:08:27,231 Speaker 2: They showed me what it looked like to love each 112 00:08:27,311 --> 00:08:30,911 Speaker 2: other by spending every morning on the porch with their coffee, 113 00:08:31,691 --> 00:08:35,391 Speaker 2: each in their rocking chair holding hands, praying together, and 114 00:08:35,431 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 2: reading their devotion, he adds. During the renewal, Becky told 115 00:08:40,341 --> 00:08:42,821 Speaker 2: David that she will always remember how he's loved and 116 00:08:42,881 --> 00:08:47,701 Speaker 2: cared for her, which brought Philip to tears. as months 117 00:08:47,761 --> 00:08:50,141 Speaker 2: of hard work culminated in the day of their renewal. 118 00:08:51,421 --> 00:08:54,121 Speaker 2: Philip was relieved and blessed that it went just like 119 00:08:54,161 --> 00:08:56,801 Speaker 2: he thought it would. He'll look back on it as 120 00:08:56,921 --> 00:09:01,091 Speaker 2: one of the most meaningful things he's ever done. The 121 00:09:01,151 --> 00:09:04,091 Speaker 2: impact of the ceremony wasn't just tremendous for those who attended. 122 00:09:04,571 --> 00:09:08,231 Speaker 2: When others saw Philip's viral video, they reached out with 123 00:09:08,271 --> 00:09:12,631 Speaker 2: happy memories of the couple. Those included students from Becky's 124 00:09:12,631 --> 00:09:16,331 Speaker 2: 33 years as a teacher. and a distant relative the 125 00:09:16,371 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 2: family had lost connection with. Wynnum hopes that others will 126 00:09:20,941 --> 00:09:24,721 Speaker 2: be encouraged by his grandparents' beautiful example of faith and love. 127 00:09:26,421 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 2: How many grandparents can say that their grandkids have done 128 00:09:30,201 --> 00:09:33,621 Speaker 2: this kind of thing for them? Becky and David are 129 00:09:33,660 --> 00:09:36,261 Speaker 2: blessed to have so many who love them, and to 130 00:09:36,301 --> 00:09:41,351 Speaker 2: be leaving such a legacy. I'm reminded of Leviticus 19, 131 00:09:41,351 --> 00:09:46,151 Speaker 2: verse 32. Stand up in the presence of the aged. 132 00:09:46,991 --> 00:09:50,151 Speaker 2: Show respect for the elderly. And revere your God. 133 00:09:50,671 --> 00:09:52,431 Speaker 3: I am the Lord. 134 00:09:56,351 --> 00:10:00,461 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to this episode of The Story Behind Podcast. 135 00:10:01,581 --> 00:10:07,121 Speaker 2: I hope today's stories about grandchildren honoring and loving and 136 00:10:07,181 --> 00:10:10,821 Speaker 2: respecting their elders reminds you of the ways God is 137 00:10:10,881 --> 00:10:13,921 Speaker 2: still moving in the world around us and in families. 138 00:10:15,401 --> 00:10:17,941 Speaker 2: Visit the links in the show notes to find the 139 00:10:17,981 --> 00:10:21,701 Speaker 2: original articles, photos, videos, and any resources mentioned in today's 140 00:10:21,761 --> 00:10:27,131 Speaker 2: episode on the God Updates blog at GodTube.com. If you 141 00:10:27,171 --> 00:10:29,930 Speaker 2: enjoyed these stories, be sure to follow Story Behind wherever 142 00:10:29,991 --> 00:10:33,251 Speaker 2: you listen to podcasts and share it with someone who 143 00:10:33,271 --> 00:10:34,530 Speaker 2: could use a little encouragement. 144 00:10:35,721 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 3: Story Behind is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, 145 00:10:28,821 --> 00:10:29,921 Speaker 3: visit lifeaudio.com. I'm Sean McAvoy. 146 00:10:29,941 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 2: Thanks again for joining me and we'll see you next 147 00:10:31,941 --> 00:10:33,361 Speaker 2: time on Story Behind.