father and Father

“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

You would have loved my father! He was kind, compassionate, funny, a little outspoken at times and had a tenor voice that was breathtaking. I could sing of his praises to fill this devotion and perhaps a book; but I won’t drone on here.

At the young age of 48, he had a massive stroke (shortly after I graduated from high school). It left him blind, speechless, deaf, and paralyzed on his left side. The family was called together and told that the prognosis was not good. When I finally got the opportunity to see him for five minutes, I was not prepared for what I saw. It was horrifying!

I am still convinced it was the prayers of our church family and friends that brought about a healing miracle. After six months in rehab, his eyesight and hearing were better than they had ever been. He still couldn’t walk well or talk like we do but he could sing any song and it was crystal clear. Our loving God had not taken away his deep passion for singing. He sang for about fifteen more years with many setbacks along the way.

However, this devotion is not about what an awesome father he was to me. It is about the love of the Father that he carried in his heart. Like Job, he did suffer greatly but he never gave up. He was a faithful man who spent those last years encouraging others along the way.

When he went to his heavenly home, the town mourned the loss of a great man, a friend, an encourager and a godly believer. Hear me out; there were times of frustration and impatience when he could not make himself understood. They were some ugly and awkward moments but at the end of each tirade, he would cry and look up!

I often wonder what my life might have been like had he been able to talk to me during my difficult times. His facial expressions, silence and tearful eyes spoke volumes. Like our heavenly Father, he made it known that he did not like what I did sometimes, but he never stopped loving me.

How Great the Father’s Love for Us with Selah

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the life lessons I learned from my earthly father. You have provided us with so many opportunities to see You at work. Help us to use these in our daily walk and never to forget the source.  AMEN.