Dad put his finger on my nose, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You. You are just like me, and I appreciate you." Those are the words I will cherish forever from Dad, just a few hours before he passed away. No higher compliment has ever been given to me. And what comfort it has brought me since his death, knowing that my Dad was pleased with me, despite the rebellious high school years, and the chaos involved in a divorce, returning home pregnant, with another child on the way!
There have been times since then that I have wanted to call him and share good news with him. This week with Rory and Holly's engagement was no different. I so wished I could have called or stopped by to share the good news. I know he would be so happy, so excited, and so incredibly proud of the nice young men both Rory and Ian have turned out to be. And I know he would love Holly too, just like everyone else does!
Dad was such an encourager. He was truthful, but always out of love, always kindly, and he always, always had an encouraging word. I sooo miss this. And I know Rory and Ian do too.
This takes me back to the last night of the Passion Conference. I had been so moved by the hunger of a young generation, running in the doors of the Dome after standing in line for hours and hours in a cold rain. They had experienced an encounter with the living God and were hungry for more of His Truth, as they ran to find a seat, back packs, journals, and Bibles in tow. Just to witness that was worth the long hours of working I did as a door holder. And a few times, I looked out over the crowd of them, and I wondered if their parents encouraged them to come. I wondered if they were the only believers in their family, and perhaps they were discouraged from coming. Maybe their parents told them they would be "disappointed" if they attended something other than their home church. Maybe some kids really had to jump through hoops to get there. Whatever the case was, as I was welcoming them on their way to their seats, I started saying encouraging things. "I hope your parents are proud of you" I said over, and over, and over..........
It's so easy for us to expect people to fit into our little "boxes" of what we believe is normal, or what we believe is right. And we have to be careful when we do that, because it shifts our focus to condemning and judging others, and we are NOT the Holy Spirit. Do our lives attract others? Does our behavior model that of Christ? Does our speech honor Him? Do we behave in a way that others would want to know what it is we believe, who this God is that we love, or where is our church? Do we radiate the love of Christ to everyone we encounter? Or are we judgmental, unwelcoming, and condemning? Every encounter we have is an opportunity to share Christ, whether that's through taking care of a sick patient, selling a used car, or having a conversation with your daughter.
My Dad would be so proud of my kids today. And as I glance for the 100th time at the photograph of Rory proposing to Holly wearing a T-shirt that says, "Serve? Serve!" and then visit Ian in his middle-school room where he teaches the Gospel to younger kids, I am overwhelmed with joy knowing that Papa would be as over-joyed and as proud of them as I am. I hope that all of those kids I high-fived at Passion have parents who are proud of them, too!
Encourage your children today (even if they are 50 ;) And BE encouraged!
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
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