This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves… My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. (1 John 3:16, 18)
This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day which is a bittersweet day for me, as it is for many. Since my dad passed away, in 2018, Father’s Day is always filled with wonderful memories and lots of tears. I miss my dad…every day…but there are certain days when I miss him more – Father’s Day is one, as well as his favorite holidays: the 4th of July and Christmas.
My dad was great! (I would say the greatest, but for some those would be fightin’ words!) He was a constant presence in my life, a teacher of life lessons, a voice of calm and reason, all rolled into a tough exterior with a teddy bear’s insides. My dad could be very intimidating, he was a six foot three, 300 lb., Marine. (My best friend recently confided in me that she was often scared of my dad as a kid when she would come over to our house…and it was not until well into her adulthood that she got to know his soft teddy bear side.)
I often think about the many lessons from my dad. Practical lessons like how to change a tire and the oil in the car. Life lessons like what consequences come when you break the rules. But perhaps the best lesson I learned was what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. My dad lived out his very private faith. He served out of duty, but also out of his love for God. He served our church as an Elder and as the “sound guy” for worship for over 40 years. He served his community as a Boy Scout Scoutmaster, the Rotary Club Sargent at Arms and through his autobody repair shop connections – everyone in our community knew my dad! He served his country as a Marine (5 years) and as a part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (40 years.) He served his family with love, patience, and understanding.
My dad rarely talked about his faith, but his faith was very evident in how he lived and I am grateful for that example. We all have a legacy of faith that we pass on to the next generation whether we are aware of it or not. I love Joshua’s question to the Israelites towards the end of his life – choose today whom you will serve…as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.
Blessings,
Pastor Jenni
“If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today… As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”
Joshua 24:15 (MSG)