A Journey With My Father
A few days ago I went out to my parent’s home to strategize with my dad on a book project for him. A good friend of mine from college, Stan Willis, suggested that I keep a diary of the process and the time spent with my dad. I thought it was a great idea, so this is my first entry. Thank you Stan.
My father has been in ministry for almost 65 years, most of which has been spent pastoring, loving people and teaching them from the Bible how to live life. He also spent 25 years as a professor at a seminary teaching others how to open the Word and share from that text what it means and how to apply it to life. We’re going to consolidate sermon outlines and publish some, develop a website and make these resources available to others. Dad is not in it for the money. He’s given more sermon outlines away than most preachers have sermons. He and my mother have everything they could possibly want, or the means to get it. It just so happens that they have never been the type to want a lot of things. I think he’s in it for the legacy, the sharing of what God has given him through a lifetime spent studying the Bible, living a life of faith and actually believing that what God says is true, regardless of what circumstances would say.
I’m looking forward to this journey. I’m looking forward to sharing special time with my father, but I think more importantly, I’m looking forward to seeing the Word from his perspective again and regaining some of the faith and belief that I have lost along the way. I’m hoping that my Heavenly Father speaks to me along this journey as well. It’s been a while since I have had an unwavering faith like my dad’s. I had it for a long time, most of my life in fact, and then life circumstances convinced me that I should wonder and question and doubt. So, eventually, I did. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. I think after some real self-examination I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to be perfect for God to love me. I don’t have to earn His love by never doubting or failing. I can ask the hard questions of God and He’s big enough to take them. I’m hoping that during this time I hear Him giving me some of the answers. We’ll see.
