My Uncle Ronnie

Day #9: My Uncle Ronnie Spencer.
Uncle Ronnie will be the first to tell you that he is my favorite Uncle Ronnie. Out of all of my uncles I'll have to say that he's the only one that has taken much interest in me. Don't get me wrong, I love all of my uncles but Ronnie is just special.

Born in '51, Ronnie is the youngest of my mother's brothers and sisters. I think he missed his calling in life as a stand up comedian. As far back as I can remember I can't seem to recall a time when he wasn't telling some kind of joke. I remember one time he came over to our house and for some reason my parents weren't there and he sat on the couch and just kept cracking jokes. He had us all rolling in the floor with laughter. Still to this day I remember some of the things he said such as, "you wouldn't happen to have any small cakes or pies would you?" Or, "you know it's going to be a bad day when you open the refrigerator and the rump roast farts in your face." His "bowl of olives" joke is still a number one hit around my house, even with my kids as I have retold it over the years.

Growing up Uncle Ronnie sang in numerous Southern Gospel groups; the King's Servants, the New Creations, and the Bread of Life, are the ones that I remember. I thought he was a super star. I loved getting to go to the concerts where he was singing and sit in the front row and watch him sing. To me it was more exciting than seeing Elvis Presley. My favorite memory of him singing was when he sang at his own mother's graveside (my granny Spencer) and it was pouring the rain down. I stood and watched and listened to him wondering how he was able to do that in such a trying time.

Uncle Ronnie is a man of many talents and he is very smart. He can sing and play numerous musical instruments. I am not aware of all the jobs that he has had but I know he is a retired public school principal and former music minister at several churches. I'm fairly certain he could do or be anything he wanted. I do know that he makes the best Deer Jerky you have ever put in your mouth!

Ronnie has had a few major blows in his life which there is no need for me to go into detail about but let me just say that some of the things that he has had to face would overwhelm most people to the point of giving up on life entirely. But he has kept up the faith and kept pressing on. Even here in his retirement days he is having to deal with things that he shouldn't have to be dealing with. I pray for him and his family constantly that the Lord would give him some relief.

Uncle Ronnie is a great man of faith and knows the Scriptures. He and I can have great discussions on spiritual matters and also church related things. He has often given me great advice where the ministry is concerned. He is also my go-to man when I need a great speaker/singer for a church event and has always been very gracious to try and accommodate me.

Which leads me to the thing that I admire most about my Uncle Ronnie and that is his kind, compassionate heart. You've heard that old saying, "you can't keep a good man down," I think they must have written that about my Uncle Ronnie. Through the heartaches, trials, and tears I have seen him be a man of great compassion. He reminds me of the forgiving, loving father in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Which is funny because it seems that every time Uncle Ronnie has heard me preach, I have brought messages from that parable (not on purpose though!)

This is only a small fraction of the things that I could say about my Uncle Ronnie but I best stop before his head swells too big (just kidding unc.) I know many of my Facebook friends know Ronnie and can attest to everything that I have said about him. If you haven't gotten to know him, you should, he would be a great blessing to you.