The beginning of this week my Dad unexpectedly went to the
hospital because of a blood clot in his leg and two in his lungs. Thankfully he
will not have to have surgery and is recovering. He came home to me last night!
On one of my visits we walked around the hospital and stopped by a quote on the
wall that said:
My Dad asked me what book of the Bible this reminded me of.
Nothing came to mind. He gave me another hint… finally I thought,�Oh…..
Esther.� Funny thing is this week I read through the book of Esther in my quiet
time, and remember that sticking out to me as well as the character Mordecai.
If you are not familiar with the book, King Xerxes is looking for a new queen
because his current queen disrespected him (from his perspective). Esther (an
orphaned Jewish girl being raised by her relative, Mordecai) is one of the
girls who is picked to be a potential queen. She ends up finding favor in King
Xerxes eyes and becomes the new queen. (I recommend you read it because it is
so much better than my little description of it.) It is an incredible story
about faith, courage, loyalty, and steadfastness. A situation comes up that
threatens Esther’s life, Mordecai and her people. Mordecai sends a message to
Esther which is: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position
for such a time as this.� Esther 4:14
Mordecai had no idea when he adopted Esther that she would
be queen. Later Mordecai observed a situation and saved the king’s life. Then
he ended up standing behind Esther in a life or death situation. Mordecai worked for the good of his people
and spoke up for their welfare. He did not do this to win favor in anyone’s
eyes but seized the opportunity that God had given him. He was steadfast to his
people and his God. He would not bow down to worship a man; he continued not to
waver even though it endangered his life
I do not know what I am going to experience on this World
Race, this summer, or ten years from now. But I hope I can be like Mordecai. I
hope that I will rely on God for the strength to face the daily hardships, the
seemingly impossible situations, and even the joyous moments with this idea in
mind: I am brought into situations for
a reason and I will stand firm in what I believe and not sit back and be lazy
or passive. Mordecai was bold and gave
Esther very wise counsel although it was frightening. I think he knew his girl and her faith. He
was the man behind the scene propelling the action. He rounded up the troops,
sent the word out, and even did some detective work.
So even though I am not a fan of having my dad in the
hospital, I know that he was there to love on people, to grow himself, and also
be encouraged by others (still easier said than taken to heart). It is in those
moments when you are sitting in the stillness that great things can happen,
when those deep conversations start, or there is opportunity to seize the time
to actually just sit and be thankful for what has happened in your life.
My Dad is one of the best people to have a conversation
with. He says things that I will think about for days. It may be simple, but
wow, it is so profound to me. He goes about it in a way with passion,
explaining with clarity, with humbleness and never making you feel silly or
dumb even though he has so much wisdom.
He asks you questions and makes you think, not telling you the answer
but willing to share some impactful thoughts if asked. In some ways he reminds
me of Mordecai. He is a behind “the- scenes man. He stands up for what he
believes and is right there helping you as much as he can, rounding up the
troops (ask him someday about his plan of action when I was detained in Mexico)
to protect his loved ones. (Mordecai sent word to all his people to pray and
fast for Esther for 3 days). My dad is like this not because of his own doing
but because of God transforming him, also because my dad has chosen to seek God
with all his heart.
I asked God as I read through Esther this week that I would
get something new out of it. It was neat to focus more on Mordecai and not only
how Esther was bold and faithful.
Mordecai was too and he helped propel her; like how my dad has been an
incredible example to me and has propelled me to care deeply for people and go
the extra mile even when no one is watching. I think I got a better view of
thankfulness too. (I can’t imagine how thankful Esther must have been for
Mordecai , his partnership and work behind
the scenes.) I am so thankful to God for
placing a dad in my life who helps me get a little better glimpse of the
Father’s love. My dad so quickly takes the spotlight off himself even in a
situation where he can easily take the attention that in our culture is due his
name. Man, if I were in the hospital I would soak up that attention and try to
get as much sympathy (in a discrete way) as I could. He has shown me what it
looks like to not give into seeking sympathy for selfish motives or being in
despair when we have a God who had so much sympathy for us that He gave His Son
to die so we would not have to perish. I have been given responsibilities and
sometimes they may seem silly or way too hard but for “such a time as this� I
can remember that I have a God who wants to take each step with me and there is
a reason why I have it in my life. Hardest part is, I may never know the
reason, but what an incredible canvas I will get to see when this life here on
earth is finished and God’s intricate master plan is all painted out. Even
though I am not really excited about aging I am pumped to see all the
interconnections God weaves together in this little life of mine to make
something beautiful……. just because He cares that much to make a microscopic
speck in an infinite line more marvelous and purposeful than my mind can
handle.
Hospital bonding time:
