Dad’s Legacy

Some of the most powerful thoughts we have are memories.  They can take us back to the most painful times of our life or some of the most beautiful ones.  Memories serve to remind us of the places we overcame and show us how much we have grown. But most importantly, It is a reminder of all God has done for us and builds our faith for future obstacles. 

Recently I have been thinking about my dad’s favorite scripture verse. Maybe it’s because he dropped it on me one day when he overheard me on a call with my mentor. We had just finished praying that God would reveal clear plans for my next steps in some big decisions I needed to make.  I was stressed and tired, and my dad said 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand “~ Isa 41:10 CSB

I instantly had peace, and tears streamed down my face. I knew things would be ok.

My dad always had a way of making things better when growing up and still does today. 

Memories flood my head of my childhood years. My siblings and I would hide as my dad excused himself from the restaurant table to speak to a stranger about Jesus.

When we were teenagers, he would stop people in the parking lot and say, 

“This may sound strange, but Jesus wants you to know he loves you.”

We would look for a place to hide our faces, yet the people he spoke with never seemed to mind. I never understood the “prompting” he was referring to as a child.  But I do now as an adult.

About a month ago, while on the phone with him, God had prompted me to remind him of his favorite verse. At this time, he had been in the hospital for weeks struggling in health. Afraid he would not make it, he began to express his fears and confess his love for me.  As his daughter, my heart broke, and I wanted to cry.  But as a woman of God, I followed the prompting of the holy spirit. 

I said, “dad, don’t be afraid… What’s your favorite scripture.”

He replied, “Isiah 41:10.”

“exactly; why is it your favorite scripture?”

Without hesitation, he explains, “because God has me share it with people at just the right time in their life.”

I reflected on his words, took a deep breath in, and spoke. “Now it’s your turn to remember… don’t be afraid, dad God has a plan; he is not finished with you yet.”

Just like that, I saw peace wash over him.  

Looking back, I am grateful that my dad made me feel uncomfortable as a child to show me what it meant to stand for Jesus.  I am thankful to have been raised by a man that loved God and showed it in his walk and action daily.  And no, he was not perfect; no man or family is. But because of his obedience, I am grounded in truth and can teach my children.  

I can honor my father in action and pray he is blessed to see how his obedience impacted his children and his children’s children.