June 30, 2019 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

The Things that stay

A few weeks ago we celebrated Father’s Day. While I feel every day is meant to be a special occasion to celebrate our loved ones, this year I started to tend to think of things a little differently. These days are good for us who are living in a day and age where things are moving so fast that we can’t take a moment to sit and reflect on the good things. And this father’s day was something like that for me. It made me pause and reflect on the good memories I had with my father as a child.

My father and I have a very mysterious relationship. Growing up as children, there was a heavy emphasis on discipline in my household. My brother was the obedient good child and I was all over the place getting into all sorts of trouble. My father was a quiet, humorous kind hearted man. But when it came to respecting and honoring my parents or others older than us my father took it very seriously to discipline us in every way possible when we went off track. He was the most sacrificial man I have ever come across in my whole life. The kind of things he gave up for our family (especially me) is hard to keep a count on.

The other thing that always stood out to me was this image of my father. When I woke up every morning and came out from my room I always see my father sitting at a corner with his bible opened and reading the word of God. Regardless of what kind of day it was, I don’t think I remember a day I did not see him not do this. My father was not too indulged in openly sharing and correcting us scripturally or sharing insights. He left that part to my mom, who by the way did a fantastic job in doing what she could. But this one thing stood as a very special memory - always starting his day with the word, living a life of integrity and good Christian character. I believe most of the things we were able to go through as a family were because he had a personal and very close relationship with God in his own way. He always provided us with what was good and the best in the means that he possessed and I think that’s what makes him a very special person in my life. He tried to display in his own way how much he cared for us.

I am reminded of this scripture when I think about him, “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11-13. Our Heavenly Father gives us the best, the helper and comforter, the Holy Spirit! All He is waiting is for you to do is just ask Him. I am reminded today if my earthly father with all his flaws can give me the best in the limited means that he possesses, how much more can my Heavenly Father give me?

Doug Bennyson