All in- or NOT in at all

     I was considering yesterday on my birthday, something that made me really appreciate my father as I reflected on how he raised me and who he was.   I recalled how Daddy never let us quit.  I remember how I would be playing a game with my brother (who always cheated! lol)  and I would want to quit.  Then my brother would tell on me and daddy would say-"FINISH.  Win or lose.  Finish."  There were times when I played sports with teams and for whatever reason I didn't want to play the rest of the year.  But Daddy would make me-and all of my siblings for that matter, finish.  There was no such thing as quitting in the middle.  Starting something and not seeing it through was not an option in our house.  

    Then to add insult to injury Daddy would press us to do our best, to play our hardest even if we didn't want to keep playing.  He would explain tersely, "if you start, finish.  If you play, you play hard.  If at the end of the season you don't want to play next year, fine.  But don't start and quit in the middle."  

     As I reflect on these principles, I am so grateful.  I admit, I wasn't grateful then, but now it is innately the way I live my life now.  So when I pray and receive direction from the LORD and tests and trials come, and when the winds blow and the rains pour- I honestly flashback to when my father would say, "don't start and quit in the middle."  I remember when  I was young in the LORD and things were ruff and I didn't understand the concept of suffering.  I would be so frustrated and so tired.  But what was ingrained in me would manifest-by the grace of GOD- and I would remember- DON'T QUIT.  When I considered whether or not I should pray or read my WORD or not, often times because  I was frustrated or had the opportunity to do so I wanted to go hang out with friends or do other things. Then I would remember how my Daddy had said to play hard or not at all.  Then I would throw myself more into the Bible and books about the BIBLE.  

I am so grateful for learned perseverance.   Thanking the LORD for my Daddy.

     

Watching Over Me: The Father's Love

     I remember when I used to go walking in the evening.  I felt that being in my twenties qualified me for midnight strolls where ever I pleased.  One evening while I was walking at Memorial Park in Oklahoma City, I received a call from my father.  He asked me where I was.  I simply told him where I was and what  I was doing.  It was around 11pm or so in the evening.  He informed me that he was in town and asked how long I would be.  The next thing I knew, I was looking at a van with 2 men sitting in it, who were looking at me!  As one of the men approached me I was somewhat concerned.  However, as he got closer I realized he was a family friend.  The other man was my father.  He had driven into town, about a 5-6 hour trip to take care of some business.  And though he had worked a full day, at least 12 hours for him, he wasn't going to leave until I finished.  At the time I had planned at least 4 more laps but I could see the fatigue in his face so  I told him I was on the last lap and I would be finished shortly.  I finished and we headed home.

     I have walked many miles since then, and often late in the evening.  And there are times that I can't help but to look up and hope to see his car or van.  Hoping to see his silhouette gazing my way from the distance.  At times I glance at my phone hoping that I have missed his call and there is a message inquiring about my whereabouts.  I know it seems silly. But as I was walking the other day, the LORD reminded me that I am still being watched over.  And just as my father kept an eye on me here in the natural, so my heavenly FATHER watches over me in the  Spirit.  And of course I know that my father is still watching over me as well.  

     I am blessed to have known a father such as this.  Blessed to know that there was no amount of fatigue to assuage his concern.  No amount of work to remove me from his mind. No event more relevant than my whereabouts.  No situation insurmountable when he was involved.  No time like the present to be there for the ones we love.  

Thanks Daddy,