Joy and Sadness...

Sunday my spiritual dad entered into Glory! I'm so excited for him! He had been struggling with brain cancer this past year and things really began to deteriorate over the past four to six weeks. The thing that made my spiritual dad one of a kind is he had become everything I believe God intended for a 'real man' to be by the time I arrived on the scene in their lives at the age of 35. Last night as my sister and I sat out in the side-yard swing we talked about what made him so unique. He was without a doubt, to anyone who knew him, a Jesus man. Not because he was "doing" anything but because he was the greatest example of what it meant to "be". My spiritual dad understood abiding!  And because of that he was living out the fruit of the spirit to all around him. I've never known such a kind, tender, faithful, patient, and humble person.  His ability to put others first will always amaze me. Even up until several weeks ago he told me, "I'm going to the House and I will be fine. I'll be waiting on all of you there. I'm just concerned that you all will be ok, especially Pat”, (my spiritual mom).  I know I have never known a person as steady (steadfast) as Will.   I keep a motto in my heart and have for many, many years, "keep walking".  If the sun is shining, keep walking; if the storms roll in, keep walking; if the clouds hang low, keep walking; if the breeze is harsh, keep walking; if flowers spring up all around you, keep walking. Don't let the awesome things distract you (yet enjoy them) and don't let the difficult times destroy you, in both cases keep walking. My spiritual dad was steady throughout the 23 years I have known him.  I mean steady!  He kept his eyes on Jesus and kept walking! You know my spiritual dad was the turtle in the hare and the turtle race. The hare was so busy moving around and being self-absorbed, he missed out and never touched a soul except for his own glory.  The turtle was steady and touched lives along the way and didn't even know it as he just kept walking.

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)
³¹“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Keep walking, my friends, and to God Be All the Glory!

Love you all.

His,
Vickie