Reflection for Father's Day

A few years ago, on one of my runs, I decided to change my routine a little and go in a different direction and on a roadI had never run down before. When I reached the road where the Mountain View Cemetery is located, I decided to visit my dad’s grave. This was 12 years after he had died. Honestly, it had been years since I had stopped because every time I would visit, it was like the bandage over my heart was ripped off again. This day, I went, and it still hurt, but not as bad as it had in the past. I believe that time does not heal all wounds, but it can make them less painful.

From my dad, I got my red hair and freckles. I also got my temper from him. Yes, it is true redheads can have hot tempers that we have to learn to control! I also now live with the knowledge that someday, I may lose all of my memories of people and events and my dignity due to Alzheimer’s disease.

As I have a reflection on the past and think about Father's Day, I see that the most important thing I received from my dad was the example of a life running from God to one of full devotion to Him. After my father became a Christian, he told me that the reason he was an alcoholic for so many years was because he knew there was a God, and that was his way of avoiding it. As a Christian, my dad would consistently ask me if my life was right before God. He was more concerned about my eternal life than the one I was living at the time.

Are you fully devoted to God? If not, what is stopping you? Are you running and covering your need for Him with other things?

If you are fully devoted to God, do those around you know it? If not, what can you do today to change that? Is their eternal life as important to you as the one they are living now?

What kind of memories and legacy will you leave behind?

Psalm 145:1-7

A psalm of praise. Of David.

"I will exalt you, my God the King;

    I will praise your name forever and ever.

Every day I will praise you

    and extol your name forever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation commends your works to another;

    they tell of your mighty acts.

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works—

    and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They celebrate your abundant goodness

    and joyfully sing of your righteousness."