Today, Jenna and I took Daniel to his four month check-up. The nurses and doctors were busy taking his temperature, measuring his height and weight, and giving him his shots. He is growing by the minute and so is my appreciation for my parents. Every time, Jenna and I find ourselves spending time with, feeding, or buying something for Daniel. I am reminded of how much love my parent’s had for me when I was learning to roll over, squeal, and fight my sleep. I guess the roles have reversed a little in 29 years.
Also, I write today because I feel like over the past 2 years, my role in sending out encouragement has changed. I have received so much encouragement from so many of you. You all probably know that my greatest mentor, granddaddy (78), passed away two years ago this month. My dad (48) followed him 9 months later and never spent a Father’s Day without his dad. Then, my mom, who spent only one anniversary without my dad, passed away 10 months later. And so, the Words of Encouragement that began in August of 2003 quit flowing around May of 2008. It has been difficult for me to write down anything of encouragement. Words would not come in the dark silence.
Throughout the past year, I have continued to preach and teach God’s Word at various places. You may have seen me at church and wondered, “How are you really doing?” Honestly, it has been difficult. I can remember the first time I wanted to call Mom after she passed. Jenna and I had just left the doctor to see how Daniel was growing in the womb. I wanted to call and tell her how well Daniel (then Elijah) was doing and that he would be here with us in a month or so. It was a hard hit. There have also been many days when I needed advice on fixing something around the house. The first person I thought of was Dad. I picked up the phone many times, but I forgot he wasn’t there anymore. There have been times that I desired to talk to granddaddy about the Scriptures, but the closest I can get is looking at his shadowbox in my office that contains his Bible opened to Romans 8, his reading glasses, and a couple sets of notes on Prayer and Christ’s birth.
I guess I write today to let you know how much I appreciate your encouragement. Maybe, this is why I had to be in a place of silence for so long. I needed to see the ministry of biblical encouragement. I was busy writing emails every week, and the Lord wanted to give me a direct lesson on how much people need each other and their encouragement. Life can be tough at times but it is never out of the reach of God’s providence and His sovereign hand. Plus, I found it written in one of Fanny Crosby’s biographies that she experienced a time of silence in her life. Well, she only wrote more than 8,000 hymns in her lifetime, and she started at 43 years of age. Whatever your age, we can all learn to be a better encourager to others, because you never know when the roles may be reversed.
Mom and Dad's love for God and their 30+ years of marriage has been a great foundation to build my family upon. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me an example to live by now that I am a husband and father!
