January 3rd marked 10 years since my amazing Dad went to Heaven.
This is the story of his prayers still being answered today.
It took me a while to write this blog, but I feel it’s time to share it now.
The first week of January we were at our Month 6 debrief in Malawi, and I got asked to lead worship on that Saturday. The next day I realized that Saturday was also the 10 year anniversary of my Dad’s death. This was not an accident; this was God’s plan, and an answer to my Dad’s prayer, from over 11 years ago.
For the first 11 years of my life, it was just my Dad and I. I was the only child, and my mother lived in in California which meant my Dad was my one and only. Most people would think I missed out, not having my mom around, and no brothers or sisters. But I never felt like that, because my Dad gave me everything I needed and more.
My Dad was not just my Dad. He was my best friend, my hero, my adventure partner, and most importantly the man who taught me about Jesus. He lived a life that showed me Love so genuine that it could only have come from God, and lived out the meaning of grace in a way that I can only hope to understand. He prayed everyday that I would grow up to tell others about Jesus, and have a passion for the Word of God.
When he got diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer when I was 10, it was too late for the doctors to do anything for him, so he spent his last days pouring Jesus into me, and to others around him. I’ll never forget his final words on earth; he told me “I love you, Kelly. Always remember Jesus.” In those final moments with him, I knew that Jesus must be the most important thing in the world. That’s what he chose to be his last words to me, and what I saw in his eyes was something Heavenly. Something that could have only come from God.
On my 10th birthday he bought me the last present he could ever give me; a guitar. I was already highly involved with music, playing the cello and singing at all hours of the day. When he gave it to me, he dedicated it to God, and told me that I could use music for more than fun, I could use it to show people Jesus’ love. I didn’t fully understand what that meant then, but I do now.
There’s nothing more special to me than finally understanding that his hours and hours of praying over me were answered. That although he never got to see his prayers answered on earth, they were in fact answered years later. Little did he know that over 10 years later, I would be using the guitar he bought me to lead worship for a group of 50 missionaries in the middle of Africa.
My father inspired me in many ways when he was here with me, that’s a fact. But he’s still continuing to inspire me today. His legacy lives on with me. The seeds that he sowed into my heart as a child will never leave, and his prayers are still being answered today through my life. He’s still teaching me that even when I don’t see the answer to my prayers right away, God always hears them and answers them in abundance in His timing.
My memories of him are ones that I’ll always cherish. They are full of laughter, dancing in the kitchen, warm hugs, spontaneous adventures, “Daddy dates”, and strong arms that could protect me from anything and everything.
Our relationship is a living testimony of the verse in Proverbs that tells us to, “teach a child in the Way they should go, and they will not depart from it.”
If you have a child that isn’t following The Lord, keep praying. If you have small children, keep praying for their future. If you think God doesn’t answer your prayers, this story is proof that He does. God hears you, and He WILL answer. And trust me, His answer will knock your socks off. We just need faith to wait, and trust that He’ll answer when the time’s right.
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