Linda's Story

When I was a teenager, I was aware that my peers thought that my Dad was a formidable person for some reason. It seemed like they had this huge respect for him, yet wondered if he might be really "strict" as a parent. I never saw him that way, I just knew that he wanted a person to be thinking all the time, and have a rationale behind their actions;  to know what they wanted to do, how they planned to do it, and why they were doing it in the first place. It really was part of his plan to help his children become independent I'm sure.

If you approached him with a plan and wanted his permission to carry it out, you came prepared. When his questions were answered, you had your answer, and you felt that you had his respect as well.  You became confident about your abilities to make decisions on your own. If you came to him and asked his opinion about a decision you were needing to make, he would listen and when it became evident that you really wanted his input, "Dad, what do you think I/we should do about that?" He would say, "Well now, what do you think you should do about that?" I never felt he imposed his opinion on my decision, but he may direct with a question or two. Usually you walked away knowing that the answer had been within you the whole time, Dad just had the ability, clarity and foresight to help you realize it, often without having said a whole lot.

My bedroom was at the front of our house, right over Dad's office where he was often up late at nights working or studying to preach somewhere. I was aware over the years, that many people came to our Dad to discuss their faith, deal with difficult issues, and seek counselling and prayer. Never spoken about by him, I became used to these comings and goings that had likely been going on since long before I was born! His faith, integrity and desire to be there for anyone who needed him, made him the kind of person one would seek for input. His attention was always fully on you in  that moment. You felt respected, and truly listened to. Not all of us take the time with people to truly be with them in the moment. He had that gift of being sincere and genuine, that caused many to trust him with the difficult things in their lives. Over my life, many have come to me and said such things as, "You know, I haven't always agreed with your Dad on everything, but I sure have great respect for him:  he lives his faith!"

Dad loved the Word of God, and used to quote this scripture from Hebrews which I love. It cuts through the insincerity that sometimes exists in our lives:

Hebrews 4:12-13

"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.

 Everything is laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

When it really comes down to it in life, it is good to remember, as our Dad did, that it is all about God, His Truth and His Will.

2 Peter 1:3-8

"His (God's) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Through these he has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"

Dad passed that torch of faith, to us Tuesday March 6th, 2012.

We hold it high!