A Godly Heritage

Yesterday I was reminded of two men that have impacted my life in great ways.  The first was my own father.  Having received a Facebook notification, I saw a picture of my dad standing beside newlyweds of which he had performed their wedding.  There he stood in his suit looking sharp and stately as always.  What memories that picture brought to my mind.  He has been celebrating in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for nearly twelve years. How grateful for a dad who loved “his Jesus,” preached the Word, cared deeply for lost souls, was faithful to my mom and a great provider for her, was a hard worker, prayed passionately, was a giver, loved his siblings and their families, and was a mentor and dear friend to me.   He was shorter in height than me, but he stood tall in my eyes.  How grateful I am today for the godly heritage of my dad.

The second man is my father-in-law.  Yesterday while chatting with him and my mother-in-law via Skype, I was reminded again of what has made him so dear to me.  His personality is one of a quiet demeanor. Even his voice is soft.  As a man “in the background,” he has loomed large as a servant and a giver.  He is always looking out for Mom, his girls, and his grandkids.  You never leave their house without some Ale-8’s, cookies, bottle of water, coffee, etc.  He is always looking for ways to serve you while you are in their home.  He loves sports, UK Wildcats, and southern gospel music.  Every time we visit, those subjects are dear to us.  He and I have enjoyed many concerts over the years preparing our hearts for the day of eternal praise and worship.  He is also a man of a tender heart.  He is having a surgical procedure done today, so before we ended our conversation, we had prayed together.  When we were finished, he had tears in his eyes.  I have seen those tears several times in joy and sorrow; in church, at home, at southern gospel concerts, at our daughter’s funeral, or before we leave to go home, and we gather in the kitchen for prayer.  How grateful I am for the godly heritage of my father-in-law.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6)