Quite recently I had been wondering about a friend I made in University. We spent time and classes together. She even ended up meeting my parents when they travelled from southern Ontario to come to my piano recital. Like many people she really liked my dad. Anyways, I wondered what she was up to and where she was at. We hadn't kept in touch after my firstborn.
The other day at work I was walking an errand and upon passing someone thought, "hey, that really looks like my friend from university I was just wondering about. Could it be her?" I realized I didn't even know what she ended up doing. She was still studying when life took us different directions. I wasn't quick enough to ask anything that day.
A couple of days later, I felt it would burn a hole through me and when we passed again was bold enough to ask, " you look so familiar, can I ask your name?". When she told me her name, I realized it was her and proceeded to make the connection for her. She didn't recognize me at first. As we got talking the memories returned. Soon conversation turned to family and she asked about my dad. When I told her he had passed away suddenly in 2000 she was very sorry and said, " I really liked your dad and think of him often. He gave me a card. I still read it."
I was completely blown away.
Blown away that she had kept the card, that she still read it, that a seed that had been planted years ago was still being kept alive by the grace of God.
My dad was an evangelist at heart. He loved God. he loved people. He wanted everyone to love God. So each moment he had with someone he believed was a moment given to him by God to love others to Him. He did it by word and action. The card she is talking about is one with his name and contact on one side and scripture verses on the other. Verses that would point to faith in loving God.
I am so thankful for a Father who sought God. If he wasn't out in the field or in the barn there was a good chance I could find him leaned over at his desk in his basement office huddled over scripture, studying and searching for wisdom and insight. He spoke of his faith daily, in a way that invited me into a lifestyle faith. One that showed God was alive and active in each moment.
On Fathers day I thankfully remember a dad who left a legacy of love and faith. And I'm thankful for my heavenly Father who revealed another layer of it.
Hi Nicole, what a wonderful tribute to your dad. You are blessed to have such a strong Christian heritage:-)
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