As Father’s Day arrived last Sunday, I turn my thoughts to my own dad who gave his all for the Kingdom of God and his family. Dad worked hard for every penny he made and yet he easily gave it away to someone in need. My dad had a heart for God and wanted to share that in his homeless ministry which ran for 30 years. Many lives were touched by his witness of God’s transformation in his own life as he came from an alcoholic household. I am so blessed that he broke that bondage of alcohol abuse in his life or else the same could have happened in my life.
Thus to honor my father who is now residing with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I share this heart-warming story. I do not know the author as none is given.
A Father’s EyesJonathan’s mother died when he was very young and his father brought him up. Both of them shared a very special relationship. Jonathan loved to play football and his father made sure that he was always there to cheer his son at every match, even if Jonathan wasn’t a part of the playing team. Jonathan being small sized, wasn’t allowed to play in the main team. Nevertheless, he continued with his practice with full determination. Everyone thought that Jonathan would never be able to make it into the team, though somehow, his determination carried him through. The coach, seeing his diligence and dedication, decided to keep him on the roster.One day during practice, the coach met him with a telegram. Jonathan was shocked to read the message contained in it. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, “My father died this morning. Will it be all right if I miss practice today?” The coach gently put his arm around his shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, son, and don’t even plan to come to the game on Saturday.” On the day of the game, Jonathan’s college team was losing badly to the rival team. The coach and the players had all lost hope when they saw Jonathan coming towards them. Jonathan ran up to the coach and pleaded with him to allow him to play this match. At first, the coach wouldn’t allow him to play. However after a lot of persuasion, the coach gave in. No sooner Jonathan joined the team in the field, their scores started to improve before both the teams were on a tie.However, the real cheer came during the crucial closing seconds when he intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. His team members were ecstatic. The crowd came running towards him to celebrate the win. After the match, the coach went up to Jonathan, who was seated alone in the corner of the locker room and asked, “Kid, I can’t believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?” He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?” The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, “Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!”
Gail loves the Lord most of all. She delights in her calling to be a wife to Ed Malick and a mother to seven children ages 26 to 42 and grandmother of nineteen. Ed is sixth generation on the homestead family farm in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.
Seeds of Hope
“What are you planting?” asked the salesman of the elderly gentleman.
“Seeds,” said the old farmer, rather nonchalantly.
“Of course they’re seeds. I can see that. I’m not dumb or blind,” he said with a bit of sarcasm in his voice.
“Well, if you are so interested, hang around for a few months and see what comes up. You might be surprised. Might even be something you like,” came the reply.
Planting seeds and gardening is a craft. It is done with care and concern. Nothing is left to chance, and the only uncontrollable aspect of farming is the weather.
“The wages of the righteous is life,” wrote Solomon, “but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.”
The word “wages” in this verse comes from the agricultural world and describes the crop or yield that is gained at the time of harvest. Earnings are the result of work.
But both have a similar meaning: Our lifestyle and way of living have implications far beyond the moment. Righteousness brings a fulfilling life now, and after this life — eternal life with God. The alternative lifestyle, unrighteousness, is one of sin and leads to death — eternal separation from God.
Our God is a just God and will reward each of us for the “seeds” we plant.
Our old farmer knew what the crop would be from the seeds he planted. He didn’t have to wait and be surprised at harvest time.
Neither do we.
God’s Word leaves no doubt about sowing seeds and the coming harvest: “Do not be deceived,” is God’s warning, “for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.”
Prayer: Father, may we examine our lives in light of your Word and plant “seeds of righteousness” each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Today’s Scripture: “The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.”
Proverbs 10:16
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: My dad had a heart for God and wanted to share that in his homeless ministry which ran for 30 years
Reporting by Gail Malick / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
