I am thankful for my father
Last night I opened up the ceramic coin bank that my Aunt made for me when I was two and sorted the coins I had put in it over the years. In it were 23 half-dollars (some of which marked the bicentennial), some bicentennial quarters, German marks and pfennigs, Italian Lire, Canadian coins (why did I save those???), a few pesos, and a number of wheat pennies dating from 1919 to 1958. I opened the ceramic bank because all of the money in my bank account (and then some) is spoken for. This morning was my weekly breakfast with my dad, it was my turn to pay, and I didn't want to come empty-handed. We eat at Lyon's Pharmacy, which has breakfast and lunch like an oldstyle pharmacy.
This morning I came with physical needs and my dad gave me spiritual food. I love my dad. I would love him even if he weren't who he is. Like many fathers he has made mistakes during his fatherhood. But he has changed so much over the years and I am truly grateful for who he is today. It is the work of the Lord. My dad can't give me any money; he and my mother are quite poor. Yes, he can tell me not to make certain mistakes and this is valuable advice. It's not the earthly advice that I value so highly, however. It's the fact that I have seen him rely on God when he had no earthly reason to do so, the fact that his hope is in Christ and that his treasure is in heaven; his ability to bring scripture into any conversation -- it is for these reasons that I respect my father so much and that I listen to what he has to say.
He told me that believers have been dealing with hard times ever since the first sin, and to turn to the book of Psalms and read these. He talked about the Trinity hymnal and how many of the hymns are very poetic and uplifting. He mentioned Psalm 74, in which the psalmist cries out -- why do the wicked prosper while the faithful are downcast. He talked about the end times and the book of Revelation, and that one day we will see God and we will be able to praise him free from our sins. He reminded me of Ephesians 5 -- be thankful at all times; speak to one another in psalms and spiritual songs; take charge of the spiritual well-being of my home. He also admonished me that I should never let money difficulties form a rift between me and my wife.
These things all seem plain and obvious in written form, but there is power in truth that is spoken by a righteous person. My father's righteousness comes from Christ, as does all righteousness. Thank you, God, for my father.
This morning I came with physical needs and my dad gave me spiritual food. I love my dad. I would love him even if he weren't who he is. Like many fathers he has made mistakes during his fatherhood. But he has changed so much over the years and I am truly grateful for who he is today. It is the work of the Lord. My dad can't give me any money; he and my mother are quite poor. Yes, he can tell me not to make certain mistakes and this is valuable advice. It's not the earthly advice that I value so highly, however. It's the fact that I have seen him rely on God when he had no earthly reason to do so, the fact that his hope is in Christ and that his treasure is in heaven; his ability to bring scripture into any conversation -- it is for these reasons that I respect my father so much and that I listen to what he has to say.
He told me that believers have been dealing with hard times ever since the first sin, and to turn to the book of Psalms and read these. He talked about the Trinity hymnal and how many of the hymns are very poetic and uplifting. He mentioned Psalm 74, in which the psalmist cries out -- why do the wicked prosper while the faithful are downcast. He talked about the end times and the book of Revelation, and that one day we will see God and we will be able to praise him free from our sins. He reminded me of Ephesians 5 -- be thankful at all times; speak to one another in psalms and spiritual songs; take charge of the spiritual well-being of my home. He also admonished me that I should never let money difficulties form a rift between me and my wife.
These things all seem plain and obvious in written form, but there is power in truth that is spoken by a righteous person. My father's righteousness comes from Christ, as does all righteousness. Thank you, God, for my father.
posted by transfigure @ 10:39 AM
0 (backwash)
