My last post included a poetic tribute I penned to my godly father on the occasion of his 75th birthday. In this blog, I want to share with you a powerful tribute written by a young Bible college student when he was serving on our church staff as a summer intern in 2018.
Michael was a quiet farm boy from northwestern Iowa (I grew up in southeastern Iowa—Ottumwa). He dearly loved his father, as you will know after reading a brief “salute” to him, which I asked Michael to share with our church family. Here it is:
“My Father, the man who gave me life. The person who protected me as I grew up and showed me what loving your family truly looks like.
The one who taught me to love playing board games, and also to love playing, watching, and listening to sports. The person who taught me what true hard work was, but also showed me how to have fun. My dad, who got me into wearing hats, into mathematics, into computers. He was there to encourage me and to be beside me as I rode my first roller coaster. He was also there to pick me back up after I broke my two teeth. But most of all he was the first person that I looked up to and admired—for his apparent love of God and His truth presented in His Word. My father’s love for Racoon River Bible Camp was transferred to me, as it has become my favorite place in the world. A man whose character and love shown through each interaction he had with people.
Thirteen years ago, I lost my father in a farming accident, but the life he led here on earth left an impression on me to lead me to where I am right now. God has used experience in my life to shape me into who He wants me to be, and that includes every single, thing about my dad. From the adventures that I had with him, to the sorrow of losing him. But I know that he is right now with His Lord and Savior, praising Him because of His glory and majesty.
Dad, I thank you for everything you did for me while on this earth. I know that you would be proud of where God is leading me, and that I am trying to follow His commandments no matter what. I know that I falter and stumble at times to truly embrace God’s truth, where I sin because of my inherent depravity. But I pray that in the steps that I take you would be proud of me, and have the knowledge that God has me headed in the direction that He wants me in. And I know that I am on my way because of the values and attitude that you and mom instilled in me.”
Thank you, Michael. Your memories and thoughts shared in that tribute inspire all of us. We know that, through you, your Dad’s dreams and desires for God’s glory will live on till time shall be no more.
Many readers of this blog will be familiar with “Our Daily Bread”—a devotional publication founded by Dr. M.R. De Haan and led by his son, Richard De Haan, and now by his grandson, Mart De Haan. Mart wrote about his father, Richard, in an essay that he shared a few years ago in an “Our Daily Bread” publication—”Ten Things I Learned From My Father.” I want to pass them on as wise words to all. Here they are:
- Admit when you are wrong
- Don’t try to be someone else
- Think small while dreaming big
- Be careful what you say about others
- Read biographies with a grain of salt
- Relax with those who are important to you
- Cultivate balance
- Avoid irreverent jokes
- Question your use of Scripture (i.e. don’t try to make any particular passage say what it really does not say)
- Trust in God and do the right
Finally, on a different note, a sobering thought for all fathers on this Father’s Day weekend: I once was privileged to pastor a dear husband and wife who loved the Lord and His church. Many times, when they were both living, I would visit them in their modest home on the east side of Indianapolis and we enjoyed sweet fellowship together. They lived a very simple life—simple in dress, diet, and demeanor. On a couple of occasions, Brother Travis shared with me how that, when their only child was a little girl, she would beg her daddy to go to church with her. He would always summarily dismiss her pathetic pleas, saying “not now, maybe some other time. I am too busy.”
One day, when the little girl had grown up and her father had grown old, the girl’s Dad, having gotten saved in the course of time, went to his then-adult daughter—who had, having reached adulthood, dropped out of church. This time, the “daddy” would plead with his adult child, “Please come to church with me, honey. I am saved now. You used to beg me to go to church with you and I always put you off. Now, let’s go together.” Sadly, Brother Trav ended his memory by dropping his head as he said, “Now, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get my little girl to go to church with me.”
Dads everywhere, take heart. Don’t let the precious years pass without loving your little tikes the way our Lord loves them—“suffer the little children to come unto me.” Redeem the golden opportunities today; they will not last long.
“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up.” (Deut. 6:7)
YOU and GOD 