Given to my dad and discussed with him the week of March 15, a few days before he died.

How do you sum up the life of your dad, especially when your dad was so instrumental that you don’t want any summary? Just give me the whole thing again, please. But, the little glimpse of life on this side of gaining “eternal” as its adjective, doesn’t work that way. We know the gateway is death because of the curse, because we are animated only by the breath of God, because we are dust. In our dying, we know that our soul finds wings to fly. I guess you have to get up there somehow and that poetic picture works for me. Dad, it’s been a slow crawl to usher you into the arms of Jesus, and I’m so thankful for that. I know it’s not easy as you wear skin and bone, to have infected blood pump through you and to keep carrying on, but you have. It allows us to reflect on your impact far differently than if a bus took you out one day. So, here we are, you facing the other side and all of us wondering what it looks like… and the joy you must be feeling despite all the pain, despite your imminent departure. 

But, Daddy, you have run the race; you have kept the faith. You certainly have fought the good fight. 

I want you to know that you and Mom matter so much to me, even with all the bumps and bruises along the way. I know those early days, you invested in my life as soccer coach and cheerleader, though my skills never matched up with the praise. You were youth leader and Doctor Harv, teaching Bible studies and being a leader, even trying to ski one year… and we know full well that the bush you ran into and screamed from saw better days. And those precious, weekly services at First Baptist where you modeled listening and taking notes in your big Jerusalem Bible. That day was always the best for me because I knew we’d go out to eat or pick up food and try to make sub sandwiches at home. We’d talk and debate as a family. We’d be molded and discipled. At the time, we didn’t know what that all meant, but you were pouring your life into me. I know that tangibly. In my first Bible, you gave me on January 23, 1987, you pointed to II Timothy 2:15-16, encouraging me to be a workman who carries no shame and correctly handles the word of truth. You also cited Romans 12:1-2, as you urged me to present my life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. When I turned 16, you gave me another Bible, one that I still use today even though it battered and torn up. (It’s the one we went back and found in the cart on our return from Israel. It’s also the one that I left in an airport and a kind lady figured out where I lived and got it back to me.) In that miracle Bible, Proverbs 3:5-6 is referenced: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding… 

You have demonstrated to me brotherhood and fatherhood. I am thankful for our time in Europe some 25 years ago for laughing at Pisa, conspiring to steal the Crown Jewels, and figuring out what a bidet is and what it is not. I am thankful for making you my best man and hearing from you about making marriage into a great cathedral for the glory of God. I am thankful that we were able to travel to Israel on two occasions and walk where Jesus walked and be together in the story that continues to shape our lives and bind us together. I am so, so grateful. Your wit and humor are certainly the pedestrian, but oh so special, parts of you I will miss. Laughing with you at the Steve Martin/Martin Short event made that year for me. I am grateful too for the ruckus of the white water trip we did only a handful of years ago, but just in time to make it a now annual gathering for my boys. I remember too, attending the Rich Mullins event after he died, hosted by his brother and mom. I think you liked Rich and his music, but I know you liked it because I was so touched by him. You knew that it was life-giving for me, and that was enough. 

I know many know you as a science whiz and a good boss for all those who reported to you throughout the years. Many will tout your successes and they are many. You are definitely a model for good management and getting the job done well. Though you worked into it, you became a very patient person and one that never saw a challenge and gave up, as cliche as that sounds (and is). Heck, you managed labs here and there, made friends around the world through your work and dedication. That side of who you are certainly was present at home, but it never interfered with me wanting to pursue another path (still finding the path). You celebrated my accomplishments and counseled me through my (many) pitfalls along the way, especially these last 26 years of married life. 

Someone said that how someone dies suggests a lot about how that person lived. I know that’s not always true, but seeing how you’ve endured, kept hope churning, relied on Jesus to do what Jesus does, to know providence is at work… it’s true in how God is using you even now. I am so grateful you are my friend - not just my Dad or mentor - you are my friend. I know, like my Bible, you are tattered and torn and look like you’re in no shape for another journey, but it’s coming up! It’s right around the corner.

In so many ways I envy you. You get to see so many things coming up, and as you make your way, I simply wanted to assure you that I’ll be keeping straight the course. Hebrews 12:1 says that there is a cloud of witnesses looking down. I so hope you get assigned to that post so you can keep tabs on the next turns of providence that are ahead. God is a loving and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. He who began the good work will be faithful to complete it.

So, Dad, my friend, don’t worry about all this stuff of Earth. It competes for our allegiance but it will not win; it will be burned up as I Corinthians 3 tells us. 

I love you so much. I know my heart breaks to see you all broken and weak and nearly gone, but we know it’s the way we all will go today or some other day. Our only hope is in the creator of the days and also the eternity that he will soon usher you into with open arms, a workman unashamed, a believer in Jesus who never got over the death and resurrection of his Lord, though it be foolishness to some. You allowed it to make and transform you into a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, ready for the kingdom.

Be well and I’ll see you soon.