What my Dad left me.

As the saying goes, “you become a man when your Dad passes away.” By all accounts at 52 my manhood was clearly defined long ago. Yet, when we learned dad went Home to be with The Lord, I did feel different. Be that as it may. At 6 months old, my Dads father passed away. His life demanded that he grow up quickly. Not having seen and experienced love as all children should. This did not prevent him from ever showing me, or caused me to question if I was loved. With his heart yielded to The Lord, together with my Mom I always knew I was loved by them both. Even though I pushed the boundaries again and again, this laid the foundation for me to receive God’s Love. As I said before, since he did not grow up knowing love from a Mom and Dad, it was with his heart yielded to Jesus, and Mom’s help, my Dad proved 2Cor 12:9-10 to be True. ...“My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for the Messiah’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong. My sister and brothers knew he loved us.
He was not a perfect man, yet with his word and a handshake he displayed honor. My Dad showed me how to love and respect a wife. Again, without examples that he had given to us. My sister and brothers had no need to question his love for us. I have always believed that, choice not blood binds family together in a stronger way. I will always be grateful and feel honored that, both The Spirit lead me and Dad allowed me to help him see this Truth. Because, even though I have been married twice, and Arnette my second wife has 3 children. After getting the news about Dad, and we called all 8 children. All 3 of those children told us, how Dad and Mom never made them feel or think any different than any other of the grandchildren. To know that he showed all of his grandchildren love. That all of his children knew and continue to know we are loved. To know the strength in the love, my Mom and Dad will always share. Even though he lived as a orphan. Because, he allowed the Love of The Lord to be, the fuel in which he Loved and stills Loves us all. Until, we are all reunited. By The Grace of God, he leaves us with the Greatest of all Gifts, his Love for us expressed through The Love of The Lord.

A Dear Sister in The Lord, shared with me this poem. Joye Atkinson

MESSAGE FROM DAD

I know your hearts are heavy and you miss having me there

But I'm with God in heaven where no one has a care

I just shook hands with Moses, I met Job and Daniel too

Now I am enjoying a body that's brand new

It really was amazing when I walked through the gate

I saw the beauty of this place and I could hardly wait

To come into the presence of the Father and the Son

Hearing him say to me the priceless words WELL DONE

Jesus took me by the hand and said I'm so glad you're here

Come sit beside me for a while and let me hold you near

Then he took me down the streets and running to meet me

Were precious friends and loved ones I had longed to see

God has given every soul a special job to do

My job, my dear son, is watching over you

Soon we will be together never more to part

Until then just remember I'm as close as your heart