The Love of A Simple Man

Written by Janis Henry, Edited by Bob Chaffin

While I am no theologian, and certainly have no inside information, I feel quite sure there is a reason why love is listed as the first aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit. Without love, how could anyone have Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness or any other of the remaining fruit. If you asked a hundred people to define love, you would probably get a hundred different definitions because Love is so big it is hard to describe in a few words. When the Bible tells us that “God is love”, we get an idea of just how big love is.
If I narrow love down and personalize it to my relationships with my own family, friends, and neighbors, then I hope, and yes even trust, that others will define me as a person who shows love to all, giving it freely and demanding little in return. In my life, I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing someone who lived a life of love this big. (Imagine my arms spread wide.)
In the later years of his life when his hair had turned that distinguished shade of gray and his hands had been roughened by years of farm life, he became known as “Pop” to almost everyone in his family. Pop was a one-of-a-kind person of love. Someone who could make each grandchild and great-grandchild think he loved them better than all the rest. He must have put forth great effort to understand just the thing that each child needed to feel special.
They were married when he was twenty and she was only 16, a mere girl in today’s society, but of prime marriage-eligible age in those days. The town was Alicia Arkansas, which still showed only a population of 145 in the 2000 census and a median household income only slightly above $25,000. To be sure, it was small and poor location to start a marriage in the middle of America’s great depression. But one thing Alicia did have, even back then, was streetlights; and perhaps in tribute to this bit of prosperity, they were married under one. No church, no chapel, only a streetlight.
As incredible as it may seem today, Wiley had to quit school in the second grade to help support his family. He had learned only a bit of the art of reading and writing when he left school, since large farm families often pulled children out of school to help with planting and harvest and progress among the scholars was slow. When World War II came along Wiley Watson was among the 10 million men who answered the call to serve their country. While there he developed a friendship with another soldier who helped him with his writing so he could write letters to, and read letters from, his young wife left at home. However, t was his desire to serve God that drove him to hone his reading aloud skills. He had been asked to read a bible verse for the men’s class at church and badly wanted to be able to contribute in that way. While a teenager in high school, I was recruited ot help him learn the words; and eventually, after a lot of practice and hard work, he learned to read the assigned passages on his own.
Don’t misunderstand though, what Wiley lacked in education, he made up for in love and good judgment. People respected him for his farming skills and he was known as the best rice farmer in NE Arkansas; but it was his love of family and friends, and his high moral values that were the measure of this fine man.
When Wiley “Pop” Watson passed from this life, a friend who is also a songwriter penned these words about his life:
A SIMPLE MAN
“He was just a simple man, so some would proclaim,
But simple’s not so easily defined---and Wiley was his name.
He didn’t have much education, if that’s the value they need.
When he was young he struggled, just to scratch a few words and read.
His occupation was hard labor, and he never made a mint.
His wealth was measured in family and friends, rather than dollars and cents.
A simple man perhaps, but when he went to war,
He fought and almost lost his life---would a general have given more?
Pop and Mom raised their family, in the light of God above.
They held them firmly, but gently, in protecting arms of love.
Pop was beholden only to God---by His Spirit driven.
Many a man might give in return, for the services Pop has given.
He spoke ill of no man---for that was not his way;
and no man ever spoke ill of him---there was nothing bad to say.
In later years his body grew feeble, and he found it hard to hear;
but a friend could find much wisdom there---if he would only lend an ear.
Those of us who are left behind, to measure the worth of our life’s span,
must wonder at the lives that were touched---by the love of a simple man.”
(We gratefully acknowledge Will Campbell of Cabot Arkansas, creator and owner by whose permission these lyrics are reprinted.)

More than fifty years after their marriage under the street light in Alicia, I was privileged to take them back there to find that street light/wedding chapel and make a picture of them as they held hands around the pole.
If you had been around in those days in Arkansas, you might have called him “Pop” or you might have known him as Wiley, but you may have figured out by now that to me he was and will always be “Daddy.”
Thank you, Daddy, for showing me that you loved me unconditionally and for your example of loving and sacrificing for all those around you. What beautiful fruit you have produced!