Walking past the display of “Father’s Day” cards I was reminded of a simple man whose life seemed to center around his going to and from General Motors, coming home to dinner, a little Television and to bed to rise early the next morning to begin again, my dad. Looking in one might say his was a rather mundane way of living. But today, I see that his life of routine was vested in the light of eternity for in the doing he showed his love for me. Dad made it possible for his children to attend a Christ-centered school and eventually graduate from universities. I never had to worry as to whether or not dad would be there.
Dad, by his example taught me a certain reverence for God. I didn’t like it certain corrective measures I experienced. To tell a lie or skip out on chores had consequences. I learned that one can show a right and wrong way of living but tempered with care. I am most grateful that through my dad I saw a caring God who through not safe, in the words of C. S. Lewis, is good.
How I regret the times I did not appreciate or took my dad for granted. But, as I preached at my dad’s funeral, God is gracious and full of compassion. I remember asking dad why God loves us to which he responded, “just because.” Our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness is “just because,” so much so He gave His Son to make it possible in the perfect payment Jesus’ made for us on the cross.
Thinking of dad this Father’s Day and those like him and in view of graduations this month I want to pass this story that brings found memories to my heart.
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man focused more on the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.
He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift-box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible. Many years passed and the young man became very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words, “PAID IN FULL.”
And I wonder, how many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? As we approach the summer months, take a moment to look for the things through which He has blessed us. Maybe the touch of a child’s hand, sparkling waters of a slow-moving creek, a simple act of kindness, a verse of Scripture that touches your heart.
A big thank you to each of you dads who through the “mundane routine” show the love of your Heavenly Father to your children.
Dad, by his example taught me a certain reverence for God. I didn’t like it certain corrective measures I experienced. To tell a lie or skip out on chores had consequences. I learned that one can show a right and wrong way of living but tempered with care. I am most grateful that through my dad I saw a caring God who through not safe, in the words of C. S. Lewis, is good.
How I regret the times I did not appreciate or took my dad for granted. But, as I preached at my dad’s funeral, God is gracious and full of compassion. I remember asking dad why God loves us to which he responded, “just because.” Our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness is “just because,” so much so He gave His Son to make it possible in the perfect payment Jesus’ made for us on the cross.
Thinking of dad this Father’s Day and those like him and in view of graduations this month I want to pass this story that brings found memories to my heart.
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man focused more on the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.
He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift-box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible. Many years passed and the young man became very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?”
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words, “PAID IN FULL.”
And I wonder, how many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? As we approach the summer months, take a moment to look for the things through which He has blessed us. Maybe the touch of a child’s hand, sparkling waters of a slow-moving creek, a simple act of kindness, a verse of Scripture that touches your heart.
A big thank you to each of you dads who through the “mundane routine” show the love of your Heavenly Father to your children.
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