I know that sometimes things don't go as we plan. I also know that imagining how we would handle something is all together different from actually going through it. I like to refer to it as the difference between THEORY and APPLICATION. The major difference being that things are generally easier in theory. It's in the application or actual experience that we are challenged.
On July 27 my father passed away. In a past post I mentioned his struggle with pancreatic cancer. I am grateful that I had a chance to be with him during the last 2 weeks. To be honest, the entire journey with him from diagnoses to the funeral has been challenging, painful, beautiful, freeing, heartbreaking and profound to say the least.
God blessed me with incredibly special conversations with my father in the first months after his diagnoses. We talked about faith, life, family, living each day, regrets, forgiveness, love and so many other things. I truly believe that outside of this experience we would not have been able to share and connect in this amazing way. My father was a good man and anyone that knew him would say no different. He was always helping others and volunteering his time in the community. He did his best to set a good example and had such a strong work ethic. He gave himself fully to each project. He lived a life of creating. Creating stonework that contained the best of him. His work, to me, and hopefully others, is evidence of God. God is the Master Creator and has given gifts and skills that allow us to mirror his heart. I believe that my father achieved this in his life's work. What an example to follow.
Through his example, I have decided to step out in faith and not waste any time in fulfilling God's purpose in my life. I am putting my fear aside and moving forward in his love and protection.
We can do this together.
(Philippians 1:3-6)
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
