My dad and I agreed on a lot of things, especially the older I became. However, there was one thing in which we disagreed upon on more than one occasion: how we showed love to people.
My dad was selfless. No one can ever convince me otherwise; I witnessed it myself for all of my life. I watched him go without so others could have basic necessities but even sometimes so others could have their luxuries.
I watched him hold his anger when it was justified, I watched him choose to speak encouragement to those who wronged him, I watched him turn the other cheek to those who took advantage of him, and I watched him choose family over self, more times than I can count.
And for this, we argued…a lot.
When someone wronged him for the umpteenth time, I demanded he cut ties. I demanded he fire them as an employee, that he wash his hands of them who betrayed his mercy, that he enjoy his life without their drama.
He would stare at me with those deep blue eyes of his and say, “you don’t understand yet, but someday you will.”
He would say “how do people get from one side of things to another? They cross a bridge. How do they cross a bridge? They walk on it. Some people were made to be a bridge between this world and Jesus.”
And I would get livid “JESUS IS THE BRIDGE, NOT US! You don’t have to allow people to treat you this way.”
He would just nod his head, pull me into a hug or squeeze my hand and say “I’m some people’s last chance to make things right before the Lord and I have accepted that.”
My dad was TOO good for the way he was treated by so many; his heart was too pure & he didn’t deserve a lot of the things he endured in this life.
But I know THAT I KNOW our Father in heaven was SO pleased with him when he welcomed him home.
I know that I KNOW, he fulfilled that which he was called to do.
And he left behind a trail of sown seeds into people's lives and hearts for our Heavenly Father.
People have told me; I can’t hold anyone to the standards my dad set…it would be unfair.
But I can say, oh, I absolutely can! My dad was not perfect, no one is, but He loved God, and he loved people and it SHOWED.
It showed in his words. It showed in his character. It showed in his workplace. It showed in his study time. It showed in his family.
Honor. Integrity. Humbleness.
This will forever be the standard because my dad didn’t set it, he just achieved it.
God was the one to set it.
I hold myself to it on the daily.
My husband surpasses it on the daily.
My children are being raised to it on the daily.
And this, this is what a legacy is.
I do understand now, there have been so many times I have thought “I get it now dad.”
Whenever I’m ready to walk away, whenever I’m ready to cut someone like they cut me, whenever I’m ready to wash my hands and be done with people.
I see my dad’s example and remember; I aim to please only an audience of ONE.
And that’s my Heavenly Father.
He, he would want me to forgive, to be humble, to show mercy, to act justly.
I get it now.
Well done, dad. Well done.
Comments