This is a memory I’ve never blogged about. I love blogging because, I can write about feelings, love, faith, and somehow, lengthen my dad’s legacy. An imprint was left on my soul that spans the meadows of Cades Cove, which was my dad’s favorite vacation spot. On my heart, he tied a forever memory knot.
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His faith also traversed the mountains of the misty Smokies. My dad’s surmountable trust in God bequeathed throughout “heartlands”.
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One evening, gentle faithfulness nested in our townhome. My dad was in the end stages of his earthly life and was preparing his soul to go heavenly home. Even though, my dad wasn’t fully coherent due to morphine, he still comprehended God’s love. He still understood ounces of hope. I opened the creased pages of his coffee stained Bible. The word of God was torn and disheveled from years of usage. This was a Bible of a man after God’s own heart.
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I opened to Hebrews…
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Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
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My dad was dying but, he still had faith. He had assurance in God to lead him through the shadow of death. He knew God would stroll with him by quiet waters. My dad knew he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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When I was done reading the passage to my dad, I closed the faithfully worn Bible. I can still feel the presence of my dad sitting next to me in his robe, strong yet feeble. No words came from his mouth, only an action…tap, tap, tap. He tapped on the Bible with his finger, letting me know to keep trusting in God. He was letting me know amidst this heart-wrenching, mind-clawing, sword-piercing trial, to keep the FAITH. Even though, I was losing my dad of 21 years, his tapping gesture renewed my weary and somber heart. I felt as if my dad was saying, “Go boldly and do not give up on God. Fight the good fight with faith. Always follow your Lord and Savior.”
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During these pandemic days, I want “tap…tap…tap” on with strength. I’ve revisited the “faith upon my lap” memory to assemble a shelter of hope. My friends, open your Bible and faith will fly out like a peaceful dove. A sound mind will roost upon your aura.
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We are in days “we cannot see”. We are in days we cannot decipher. But, faith my friends, will give an abundance of confidence that inhabits the thoughts. Reflect on the pure waters of heavenly things. Travel with God, not upon this earth, but upon the seashores of heaven.
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God sees the future. He sees the weeks and years to come. We do not know what will befall sunrises and sunsets but, we do know who controls the admittance of rain or sunrays…God.
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So, during this unwavering and fickle time, trust in Jesus. During this elusive cloudiness remember to open your stained or crisp page Bible. God will give you a reassurance of his presence and security.
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Faith is right there, “Upon your lap”.
Love this. ��
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