As I write this, I have just finished planning the memorial service for my dad. Memories flood my heart of all this man meant to our family. If I had one word to describe him, it would be “selfless.” This man laid down his life for his family. Throughout his life, he loved all seven of his children unconditionally. His love for my mom was evident even as his memory faded in his dementia. When I look back on his life, he was a man who was content in the simple things of life. My parents never had much in material things, but their love of God and family was the greatest gift they could have given us. With seven kids who were not the easiest kids to raise, we never felt that he was ashamed of us. He had a way of making us know we messed up, but he still loved us. He worked six days a week most of his working life, and I can never remember a time when he complained about having to do that. On his one day off, he would load us kids in the car and take us to the beach or some other outing. I know he did this so my mom could have some peace and quiet from us rug rats. At the end of his life, his world had been limited to a bedroom. All those years of working so hard and his material possessions could basically fit in a small closet and a tiny three drawer dresser. His dementia limited his need for not much more than that. Yet he was content most of the time except when he couldn’t find my mom who preceded him into Heaven. What he did have were seven children who faithfully returned love to this gentle giant of a man. He taught us how to love unconditionally, even through this disease took away the dad we knew.
I had a great earthly father and I have a great Heavenly Father who laid down His life for me on a cross. He laid down his life for me so I could have an eternity in Heaven. He loves me unconditionally and is never ashamed of me. Do I deserve this unconditional love? I think the answer to that question would be a big fat NO! My earthly father gave of himself to give me a better life and my Heavenly Father suffered greatly so I could spend eternity with my earthly dad and my Heavenly Dad. I can’t wait!
