(This post is coming to ya early because we might not have internet next month!)
This month we’ve been able to be a part of a church that pours into the depths of my soul – after 9 months, I so SO appreciate it. The first two Sundays, I found myself knee deep in tears.
Right now they’re in the midst of a series called, Vengo del Futuro, which means I’m From the Future. The first Sunday was Mother’s Day here in Guatemala. The service was beautiful, and my soul was deeply moved by the way the Pastor encouraged men to affirm and honor their wives and mothers. The next week focused on Parents.
Pastor Vicente began his sermon with these powerful words, “parents are the narration inside the story of their children. The enemy is interested in stealing the hearts of our children. We need to believe that their hearts were prepared for eternity”. He referenced Psalm 127:3-5 which says, “behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of ones youth, blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame”. He affirmed this by saying, “children are like arrows in the quiver of a bow, and you can literally take it and shoot it anywhere”. Such beautiful words to empower a congregation where family is so important, but Father’s tend to be absent in their children’s lives.
As I sat reflecting on those spoken words and the array of emotion this talk was rising up inside of me, my eyes were drawn to the people around me. Like the dad sitting in the row across the aisle from me that was cradling his baby girl in his arms. And my squadmates that were sitting around me, that too were moved by these same words.
Doing my favorite thing, watching baseball!
My favorite hiking buddy. He loves me!
My mind quickly became cluttered of images of my own Father, strapping my sister and I into our hot pink Barbie roller skates that slipped over our tennis shoes at our 9th birthday party. Or the many home videos of him pushing us up and down the hallway in the laundry basket as we squealed like it was the best ride we’d ever been on. Or going on numerous mushroom hunt excursions with him that often ended in him telling us there was a drink machine around the corner – we were too smart for that. Or reading “Little Visits With God” with him at night before Amber and I went to sleep. Hiking numerous mountains, eating lots of meals that could be made in 20 minutes when Momma was away, or having him teach me how to shoot my first gun (for future reference, 22’s are not a good gun for beginners). Such sweet memories to have with one of my favorite men in the world, my Daddy.
And as the reel of memories came to a slow, this song was played:
“I wish that I could be your everything
Be the one to give you all the things you need
Sometimes I’m gonna let you down
But there’s Someone if you just believe
He’ll be your hero like He’s always been for me
Darling, Jesus is the one you need”
The One You Need, By: Shane and Shane
As the song played on, I could hear my own Daddy’s voice echoing these words. Daddy taught me that Jesus was the only one who would never fail me and He was really all I needed in my life. As my eyes filled with more tears, I thanked God for blessing me with such a Godly role model. With a man that provides and sacrifices so well for His family. I thanked the Lord for my Daddy’s tender heart, his wise words, and his unending encouragement. I thanked Poppa for handcrafting my Daddy so intricately and innately to love so unconditionally on his little girls with his whole heart. For his goofy laugh that turns into an uncontrollable cough. And his silly sense of humor that causes him to laugh more at himself than for us to laugh at him.
I’m so thankful for the precious moments I’ve been able to share with my Dad throughout the years. He’s my biggest fan, my biggest supporter, and my best friend. Happy early Birthday Daddy and early Father’s Day! If I could put all the Fathers in the world in a line, I would always pick you to be mine. I love you!
My Daddy praying over me in the airport the day I left for the Race.
