Remembering Daddy

While I could never forget my precious dad, I wanted to make a grief wreath to honor him, based on the Bible verse, John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit."

My mom sent me a wreath, flowers, wheat, pumpkins, a vine, and a Bible verse. It was healing for me to put the wreath together and think about good Daddy memories. On a happy photo of my dad, I attached leaves on which I wrote a few of my dad's words of wisdom to me (there were a lot to choose from!). (Go to My Photos, Daddy)

I pray that my dad's life continues to touch and bless many people. He lives in my heart, and I am thankful for the spiritual inheritance that he left me. I miss him a lot--tears come to my eyes when I think about his laugh, his kindness, his flowers, his pancakes, his wierd jokes, his scratching my back, his advice and phone calls, his encouragement, his short but sweet notes, his evening prayers with me, our adventures together, walks, and conversations about ministry, politics, and life.

The past 7 months have been really difficult, as I processed shock, anger, and sadness (in a foreign country without my friends close by). But I have grown through it. You know, as my dad died and Jesus came to walk him Home, I was reading Psalm 23.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

I thought those verses were for my dad, to give him peace as he died. I realize now, that he was already at peace. Those verses were for me. Altough my dad is not here, the Lord is with me, leading me and giving me rest. I was the one who walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and there was no fear. God assures me that He will be with me, as He is with my dad, all the days of my life--forever!