Examples

I have a great dad.  He has often been the rock I turn to when I am tossing in uncertainty and he has always pointed me to the rock that is higher than him or me. Most of us don't get examples like him on earth.

Let me illustrate his quiet strength. As a freshman in high school, I experienced more death than is normal. We had two brothers die of gunshot wounds, a car accident that killed one and left another scarred for life, we had a cancer scare and then we had a suicide. I wasn't really prepared for death or the finality of it.  I knew the junior who took his life. In my life there have been some very pivotal moments and Tim Weber's funeral was one of them. My dad stood behind me as we took our place along the edge of the sanctuary because the church was filled to overflowing.

My dad was a pro at funerals. It comes with his business. He had performed countless memorial services, graveside burials and had helped many grieve the loss death brings. His experience with death ranged from those who had lived long lives to those who had lived only hours. He understood that funerals were vital for closure but that they also tell a story about the deceased that many never understand while they are living. They show our legacy.  A church filled to standing room only with grieving teenagers and their parents showed what Tim couldn't see in life - he had purpose and he was loved.

 I remember vividly when we left the church and my dad drove me to the foothills above Boulder, CO where we sat in the sun and simply experienced God's majestic hand in the world around us. We didn't talk about Tim or the funeral or life lessons or even my grief.  He knew I just needed quiet. I needed to be able to think, hear and respond to what was happening in my heart.  Those types of scenes were typical for my dad. Leading but not directing you to find your own way. 

Even as recently as yesterday I called him to seek direction in the midst of my newest storm. He pointed me to the word. He quoted it. He read it. We remember verses together. That is my dad's legacy. He raised me to know the provision of God's hand. He raised me to have no fear of the future. He raised me to believe that no matter what else I do in life I want to blaze a trail that shines bright with God's glory. He raised me to tell the world what I know to be true - Jesus saves.

As I move forward in life, I want to be like my dad. I have children I want to raise to know that what you do isn't who you are. And how you live isn't nearly as important as who you are living for. I want Karl and Paul to know that there is only one way to God and that when you rest in His arms there is no fear because God is healer, provider, deliverer, and strength. I want my legacy to be children of faith.

Songwriters Michael Masser and Linda Creed had it right when they penned the infamous lines, "The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way."  Our kids don't need to more self esteem they need more God esteem. They don't need more things in their toy chests they need more prayer in their prayer closets. They need stronger examples of living in the world but not being of it. They need us to stand up for Godly principles. They need us to be examples of Christ's love. They need us to lead them so they can lead their children. Being the parent that leads their children in the path of righteousness is not easy in our society of lawlessness and selfish ambition, but it is imperative.

Living a godly life, marked by righteousness and truth will mark you. The world will look at you and know. They will readily be able to see you are not like they are. Your children will be know as different - they will be marked as well. Being marked as a child is hard. In a world of mindless following, I pray my children are marked for a higher calling and not mixed in with the flock being led away to slaughter.