My turning point in my faith walk was when I watched my father die. Growing up as a little girl in a christian home, I sang "Jesus loves me, this I know...." and I knew He did. But watching life separate itself from this earth into another dimension just blew me away. My 15/16 year old brain was challenged to think and ponder the reality of the spiritual world around me. For the first time, in my life, I was starting to understand the realness of God. Even Christians sometimes take God for granted, like He doesn't exist. When I watched my Dad labor for his life, I saw a glimpse of the fear of God, and the little control we have over situations. Watching the slightest peace to the greatest of peace when I'd witness my Dad's smile peering through his weak eyes, I saw the mercy of God. As Dad unfailingly spoke of God and Jesus to others, even on his death bed, I witnessed a true warrior and saw a glimpse of God's faithfulness.
I had been this little girl, playing in my own little world, and it was as if God took the chin of His child, and turned it toward Him, and asked, " Do you hunger for food?"
I can't say I have been eating "food" ever since, cause sometimes I find myself staring at the milk I'd been drinking. I'll fall asleep and wake with even more hunger pangs. And like always, you have to make sure you aren't eating too much at once, cause your stomach is now smaller than it was. So slowly, but surely, I'll eat food again. But I've never tasted food like that before this experience with my Dad.
I do not feel fatherless, nor will I ever. His legacy will live as long as our family lives.
A word to fathers:
Protect the time, and use the energy for leaving your legacy with your own children. Spend the time it takes to train them for the war that lies ahead. Don't ever assume they've got it, and that they don't need you. "Mom's arms are comfort, but Dad's arms are security." Gary Ezzo
The beauty of it......... God covers it all.
