"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Back on May 29th, I thought about my dad more than any other day. On May 29, 1989, my dad died of a massive heart attack. He was coaching my little brother's baseball game. About halfway through the game he started having the symptoms of a heart attack. We called an ambulance, and my older brother and I began walking him to the parking lot. He didn't make it far, collapsing right behind home plate. I was a month away from my 16th birthday. Those early years were tough, and I didn't make them any easier by feeling sorry for myself. To be honest, there are still many days that are not easy. I do wish my dad were still here, enjoying those Dodger games and living life with my mom and my brothers and all of his grandchildren. However, God has been gracious to me and has helped me grow in my faith. I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself any more; rather, I thank God for my dad. I thank God for everything my dad showed me and did for me. I thank God for the memories I have of my dad.
Back on June 10th, I thought about my daughter Hillary more than any other day. On June 10, 1996, my daughter Hillary was born, and I became a father. It was one of the most incredible moments in my life. To see my wife become a mother and to see God's beautiful creation in her arms was something I still have not fully absorbed. We were overwhelmed as new parents, crying and laughing and fearful and fun. There are probably many more words I could use to describe us, but you get the point. However, on November 6, 1989, our daughter Hillary passed away after complications from surgery due to a brain tumor. To say it with few words and as delicately as possible, we were crushed and broken. It was the most difficult circumstance we have ever endured in this life. Much like the times after my dad died, those first few years after Hillary died were tough. And once again, I didn't make it any easier by feeling sorry for myself. And once again, to be honest, there are still many days that are not easy. Hillary would have been twenty-five this year. I envisioned her as a young woman, maybe married with her own child or children. I envisioned her living life and working, chasing and catching her dreams. But over these past few days and weeks, I find myself in a good place. I thank God for my daughter Hillary. I thank God for those days, weeks, and months we held Hillary in our arms. She had big and beautiful brown eyes, and her smile is engraved on my heart and my mind. Yes, I thank God for everything we experienced as parents of His beautiful creation.
Another difficult circumstance in this life was watching my father-in-law suffer from cancer. My father-in-law was a very good man, and he loved me deeply. I learned so much from him, especially how to love our children. He loved his daughters and sacrificed greatly for them. When he died from cancer, we surrounded him and prayed over him. It was hard for me to watch Marty as she said goodbye to her daddy. It was hard for me to say goodbye, as well. Over the years, Marty and I understand how incredibly blessed we were to be there with Mr. Dock and our family. We are thankful for all of the blessings God gave us with her daddy, with my daddy who just happened to be my in-law. Yes, I thank God for everything we experienced with Dock Hill and all of the memories that we hold in our hearts and minds.
God has been patient with me. God has been gracious to me. God has been good to me. I am thankful. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I thank God for my wife and my children. I am thankful for the full and the eternal life He has given me. Are the circumstances always pleasant in this life? Are the circumstances always easy in this life? Am I always right and good with my thoughts and actions in this life? The answer is the same on all of these questions for me: "No." I thank God for His Word. His Word is truth. I love what Paul says to the Thessalonians. He tells them to "rejoice always." He tells them to "pray continually." He tells them to "give thanks in all circumstances." I love what Dr. David Jeremiah says in his commentary: "Give thanks in all circumstances does not mean giving thanks to God for bad things that happen but realizing God is at work to produce good, even in bad circumstances." And I also believe that as children of God, He is always with us and always for us. I can look back and say without a doubt that God was with me and for me during the difficult circumstances I faced with my dad and my daughter. I thank God for His overwhelming presence in my life, both then and now! I am learning to rejoice always; I am learning to pray continuously; and I am learning to give thanks in all circumstances. As Father's Day approaches, this Father's Day means even more to me. This Father's Day is another day for me to choose thankfulness and to live thankfully for God, my Father, who loves me and is always with me and for me! I love what David says in many of the Psalms, and I will say it today as a prayer and blessing: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
