Tony Stark!
Dennis Doyle!
Wait who? That’s right, if my father was a fictional character he’d be right up there among the greatest known to man, and, well…let me tell you why…
Recently my father has had to work through some trials and tribulations…a lot like Tony Stark I suppose, when the bomb blew up leaving shrapnel in his system or like Peter Parker, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne when ALL the world was against the “vigilantes”… Ok, maybe not but…he’s been faced with some trials that I’m sure some people would see as complete world changers…but not my father. In the midst of the unexpected and hurtful times, instead of becoming angry and revengeful and just shutting down, my father remained faithful, loyal, trustworthy and respectful and continued to honor God in his every decision. When the world seemed like it was caving in, instead of becoming angry, he started praying. When confusion came like the night, instead of becoming overwhelmed he started seeking further direction. When all he had been standing for was being questioned, challenged and changed, he continued to walk the path he knew he needed to take. My father refused to give in to the frustrations and slander, and instead gave it all to God…and you want know what happened…?
Well, there’s this guy in our town who’s cold and hard (and has been for some time now)…when you pass by him instead of a smile, he’ll glare, that is of course if he lets his eyes meet yours… Anyway, a couple weeks ago my parents got a knock on the front door. When they answered, there standing on the other side was this man. Confused and intrigued as to what he could possibly want, my parents kindly greeted him and await his response. He told them that he had been keeping up with everything going on and has seen how my father has conducted himself and how when everything seemed to be against him he remained standing tall, unwavering in his faith. He went on to say that he wanted to know more about that faith and asked if they could meet for lunch in the next couple of days…
Within the next weeks the lunch happened and as my father sat across from the inquiring-minded man and answered question after question about his faith & God the man started to open up and well, what seemed like a random meeting turned into a God meeting. Later in the day the gentleman emailed my father saying he was so thankful he took time to meet with him and that he had a lot to think about, ending with a, “I hope we can meet up again”.
Um what?! A man, hurt and angry, seeing God’s loves shine through my father so powerfully that he had to reach out to see what is was that made him stand out among the rest. That when giving in or fighting back seemed like the right thing to do, my father chose to love and honor and in doing so reached a hardened heart.
Now that, that is why my father is my hero! His heart, faithfulness, honesty, trust and work ethic…all glorify God to where, in the end, He receives the glory, no matter what the situation is!
I love you dad and am so beyond blessed by who you are and the example you of Christ you have always been!!
