Today I have been reflecting over my relationship with my father. There was never any doubt of his love for me. I can remember waking one morning when I was about 5. I ran in to see my dad who worked the evening shift. He was not in the bedroom. I looked through the house and he was not at home. There was snow on the ground and he had not been able to drive all the way home. We did not have a phone at the time so my mother must have been terribly worried. Being a child, I was crying because my dad was not home. Mom was being bold on the outside but must have been crying on the inside. It was miserable for all of us. We knew how deeply he cared for us, so we feared that he had been in an accident.
Late in the day my dad came trudging through the snow exhausted. When he left the plant, he thought that he could make it home. As the snow piled up he was forced to leave the car and walk toward the first house he could get to. The couple welcomed him in, fed him and offered him a blanket to sleep by their fire. When he had rested for a while, he was determined to get home so he walked in the snow for about 5 miles to get home to us.
Living in the rural south seldom brings snow like this. Thankfully, that was the last time this happened in our family. As a high school senior I attended college in the afternoon. One afternoon I exited the building to find that during the time I attended a lecture and lab, one of those unusual snowfalls had occurred. Being young and invincible, I attempted to drive home. The fresh snow presented no problem. I got about half way home and decided that I should stop at an aunt’s home and call my mom. She very quickly demanded that I stay put for the evening. I kept assuring her that I could make it home. She must have had memories of the evening dad got stuck and stood her ground.
I remember how hard my dad worked to provide for us. He labored in an aluminum production plant with hot furnaces. One thing I never recall hearing was a complaint about how miserable it had to be. In his spare time he coached baseball, gardened, and served in leadership for the band boosters, football boosters and Lion’s club. He was at every event or game my brother and I had unless his work prevented it. He was often at our schools due to his involvement. Most students would have panicked if they heard their parent was in the school office. I smiled. It meant I had a ride home and did not have to take the bus. Dad always hung around and waited for us.
Through many years his voice on the phone offered encouragement even when I didn’t tell him that I needed encouraged. Then one day that all changed. My voice was offering him encouragement. It happened gradually and took some adjustments on my part. The man who raised me, walked me down the aisle and cheered from afar through most of my adult years now showed signs of weakness. It was an honor to pour back into his life.
The transition was not always easy though. I tried to show respect and plant ideas for him to think about. He would do just that and then call me about this great idea he had. I would agree that it was a great idea and then we would put it into action. Some days things did not go quite so smoothly. I would back off until a better time or mood and then navigate carefully. I am convinced of these things. Our bond of love provided a foundation that gave us strength. God gave me wisdom and Dad grace for the days that were tougher. Our Heavenly Father, God, was looking out for the good of us all.
I am truly blessed to have been a Daddy’s girl and a heavenly father’s girl. A driving force in my life was to never disappoint either. When I failed, both forgave and wrapped me in mercy and forgiveness.
I miss my daddy’s voice. Please record videos and conversations now while you can. I am trying to journal when I hear my heavenly Father’s voice as well. On the days that He seems silent, I have those words as well as the Bible to turn to. We all need words of love, forgiveness and wisdom in our lives.
Word for Today
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3
Song for Today
Prayer for Today
Dear God,
I praise you that no matter how far we may drift, you are waiting with open arms. I praise you for being the lamp that lights my path on the dark days and fills my heart with joy through trials.
On the days that I think I am a mature adult who has life figured out, remember that I am your child who still desperately needs you. Be patient with me as I learn to seek you before racing ahead of your plan. While I outgrew depending on my earthly father, I will never outgrow depending on you.
Thank you for your goodness.
Amen
Walking Them Home 