Friday, February 19, 2016

A tribute to "my Dad"

 This post is written for my “Dad”. He was an awesome guy. God didn’t make me his daughter from the beginning although he was my dad for more years then my natural born father was. Both died from cancer. Both loved me and showed me in the blessings they gave to me. I was thinking how tight my second Dad would hug everyone. He squeezed his love into you. It was full. Not that light wrapping around and a slight pat, no it would take you off your feet. I can still feel how tight he would wrap his arms around you. You were going nowhere. He had you. He made sure you got the fullness of his hug. How could you not feel important and special?
   As I thought about Dad he was a clear representation of Christ in many ways and he spoiled me. He had five natural children but him and his wife who became like a second mom just took me in. I was that ugly wet kitten in a box on the side of the road. I was like number six. Over the years I would bite off more than I could chew. Make a mess. Get into something I could never get out of myself. Dad was there. He would fix, reverse, straighten and love me out of the mess I made. I think his natural children were jealous at times. I know he would do things for them but he always kept a close eye on me. I don’t know why? Did he know no one else would do the same for me? I don’t think I did anything better than his kids. In fact I am sure I made bigger and way worse messes than they did.
   I look and see in Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  Dad was not my natural dad but he was there. Like Joseph and Jesus. Jesus however was an easy child. I on the other hand was a train wreck. Anyone can tell you. I can see in Genesis 3 how Adam and Eve fall. I was right there doing the same, but I noticed even in the mess Father God is cleaning up the mess. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Dad would be right there cleaning it up. I would have to ask but immediately he would dig in. He would wait patiently on the side lines let me stretch the disasters as far as I could take them.
   Is that not exactly what God does? Let us go in the mire, making it so bad. But God has a plan. He had a plan from before we got in our mess. He knows how bad it will be but nothing will ever be too much. Dad was a clear example for me. I never knew how deep his relationship was in Christ. I can only pray because of his unending patience for me was a representation of Dad’s understanding of Jesus wanting us to serve and love each other.

     When people die it is a good time to evaluate our own life and relationship to Christ. Are we serving others because we are going to get something in return? Dad did things for me I could never ever repay. We all have made messes. Some we can clean up or sweep under the rug. Like a broken plate it will never be fully the same even if you glue it together. Our broken plates are evidence of our sinful nature. God knew. He had a plan. He fixed the mess with Christ. Do we know Him? Not just His name and what He did, but like I knew Dad and he knew me. He could see the mess and make a plan to fix it. I knew his love, his dependability, his ability to fix it, and I know Christ like I know Dad. Christ is there. He has a plan. Are you ready to get out of the mire? I pray I become like my Dad, living like he did so my kids know that when they mess it up there is hope. Our hope is Christ. He has a plan. He will fix everything in His time. I love you Dad and have hope we are to be together again in His time.

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