Yesterday was Father's Day. My heart was filled with rejoicing! I THANK MY GOD for Mark's special relationship with Hannah and with Matthew. He is such a wonderful Daddy to them! He loves them unconditionally, as he loves me. He is so proud of who Hannah and Matthew are- and of all they accomplish in their young lives. They KNOW how much their father loves them, and they are safe and secure in his acceptance and in his nurture.While I proudly celebrated Mark's fatherhood yesterday, at the same time my mind was occupied with many thoughts and memories of my own Dad. How I MISS him! "Miss" doesn't even describe it. I long to be with him again! I yearn to talk to him. I wish we could sit and drink coffee and laugh and play music like we used to! I have felt the void of his loss profoundly, since he went to be with the Lord in July 2004.
If you never met my Dad, you missed out. If you knew him, you loved him. My Dad was FULL of love. Love for the Lord, love for my mother, for all of his family, love for lost souls, for Mexico, for life itself. Not every person can say, "I want to be just like my Dad". But I honestly do.
I have been thinking a lot lately about inspiration. (Planning to write about that next.) Yesterday I thought about how much my Dad inspired me. His life STILL inspires me! His giving is a large part of who I am today. Memories of him are dear to me; they are treasures. His legacy is one of sacrifice, the CROSS of CHRIST, the glory of HIS RESURRECTION, and peace in spite of suffering.
Dad's favorite hymn was "It is Well with my Soul". I cannot sing it without that lump in my throat, and usually with watery eyes. I love the hymn's message. I remember Dad telling me the story of how it was written, when I was about 9 years old. Tragedy brought forth tremendously inspiring words that my Dad cherished even through his last days.
I thank the Lord for my father's example. His example has made it easy for me to desire intimacy with God the Father.
The light of my heavenly FATHER shined through my earthly FATHER. And I am SO very THANKFUL to have basked in it.
1 comment:
Me too. Ive been thinking so much about him and have been so grateful for the foundation of the gospel that he taught us, and lived. As I grow older I understand more about how he lived and the message he was giving. I also understand more his imperfections. Im left on my face in gratitude for Christ and his payment for sin for us, not only for our eternal salvation, but for the LIFE he gives today! Dad was 100% sold out on this! I miss him so, and wish so much for a chance to have a good relationship with him. But like you shared about Mark, and our Heavenly Father, God has provided all we need for relationship and true love despite chaos of the Fall. Kendra
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