The God of Our Fathers

(One of the earliest pictures I have of me and my Daddy)

"And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey."Deuteronomy 26: 7-9

In this day and age to have or have had a Godly father is a rare blessing indeed! I'm so thankful that I had a Christian father and father-in-law and that my children have been blessed to have a Christian father in my husband. I look around me and wonder that God has blessed me in such a way when there are so many who may have no idea what it feels like to have a Christian father love and protect them.

"Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." Psalm 12: 1

As far back as I can remember my Daddy stood for the things of God. He became a Christian at a young age and although he faced early sickness, the Great Depression, became a widower twice, had to bury two of his adult children, and six of his siblings, he still stood firm in his faith that God is in control and knows what is best for us. He totally believed this verse: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8: 28.

My father-in-law was such a delightful man in every way. One reason was his ability to have a good time wherever he was. He had a great sense of humor. He could tell such interesting tales of things he had done as a young man…like the time he wrestled with a bear. True! He really did! He didn't have a dishonest bone in his body and I appreciated every thing he did for me after I became a part of his family. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:" Proverbs 17: 22a

My husband has had more influence in my Christian life that anyone else ever has. I'm sure that our children could never have had a father more dedicated to the things of the Lord. One of his favorite verses is: "And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me." Hebrews 2: 13

This is the first Father's Day I have ever had without my Daddy. He passed away last August. So in his honor I want to include this poem that he wrote in 1991 when he was eighty years old.

"If You Want To Be Happy"

If you want to be happy and never alone,

Put your trust in Jesus and He will give you a song.

If you want to be happy, repent of your sins.

Put your trust in Jesus and let Him come in.

He will wash away your sins, and give you a new start.

He will always be with you through thick and thin.

He will stay by your side until the end.

And when you get to heaven, in that beautiful place,

He will say to our Father, "His sins are all lost,

For I paid for them when I died on the cross."

Then you will fall on your face

And thank Him for His wonderful grace.

And you will live forever in that wonderful place.

If you're reading this and are able to get in touch with your Father today, please do! Let him know what he means to you. He may be your best friend and your hero. Or he may not have been the best father. Whatever the case, if possible, give him the honor that is due him simply because he wears the name "Father".

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20: 12

May God bless you today…..

Marilyn