I never tried to pressure my dad into going to church and I never tried to force religion down his throat. My dad and I have pretty much the same personality so I know that the more someone pushes me in one direction, the more I want to go the other way. I didn’t want that to happen to my dad. My strategy was to just pray and pray and pray and let him see Christ’s love through me. I know I’m not the only one who spent years praying for my dad. My mom, my brother and many others close to us were also praying. Even if they didn’t say anything out loud about it, I knew they were praying. And I have always appreciated those prayers. Now more than ever.
I received this text from my dad last week. I called him right away and he told me he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I, of course, was going to be there. He didn’t want us to tell anyone else. He doesn't like to draw attention to himself, another way in which we are the same.
Yesterday was a beautiful day for my family. One that we will always remember. My dad’s baptism now means that we will all be together in heaven one day. Before, my mom, my brother and I held sadness in our hearts when we thought of my dad not being there with us. Our hearts are filled with joy now.
Pastor Scott referenced John 16:20-22 in his sermon yesterday and I think it was such a perfect verse for me and my family right now. With everything that has happened during the last few months and the fact that we lost such an amazing man, my Uncle Keith, only a month ago. Jesus said, “’Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgives the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.’”
This world was not meant to be perfect and we were not meant to be perfect. We are going to cause pain and we are going to feel pain. We just have to keep our minds and hearts set on the promises that God made us.
My brother and dad before the baptisms began.
My dad with Pastor Scott.
I absolutely love this photo.
Me, my dad, my brother and my sister-in-law.
We don’t look alike at all.
