Philippians 3:12-16
2 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
We all have late Christmas gifts, as you see people far flung.
A dear High School friend posted on Facebook, she found her mother's favorite Christmas shirt that, sadly, has belonged to Janice for the last 3 years. And as she took her mother's blouse - the faint perfume was still there. And holding the blouse - she had her mother back for a few precious moments.
Today, I went to get gasoline with Edward. And as I sat, I saw a man who was remarkably like my Daddy when he was about 38 years old. Same frame, same neck, same face outlined with sunglasses.
This Daddy Look Alike was evidently the Supervisor and was talking to his employee who has had some health issues. The man who works there regularly is very slight and is about 50. The Supervisor who looked so much like my own Daddy, I was just glued to watching him. He gestured like my father and showed what he wanted done. He was polite and efficient and warm.
The employee who is slightly built was struggling to put on a jacket with a hood, in fact, he was tangled up. The man, like my own Daddy, allowed his employee to work to get the jacket on. It was the polite thing to do. Giving and allowing room for dignity. And the man was tangled. So the Daddy look alike - with kind gestures - not overly caring, not uncaring, did not overly motherly, but with efficient work - helped the sleeves to be obtained. And then, by habit of parenting, but not overdoing, smoothed the hood in place. The employed nodded and thanked him. The Supervisor nodded kindly back and the discussion commenced on the plan of work for the day. Affection had been shared.
My own father would hire those who needed a little more effort. And kindness would be given with dignity and not overdone. Stories would come home from work. Joy would be found. Some hilarity.
Daddy has been in Heaven for 24 years. And I have rarely seen a man who so resembled my own father. I know a Father God Christmas present when I see one.
I enjoyed sharing this with you and I will say, I had to drive down the highway for about 45 minutes with the occasional tear and pat my heart. Very, very, very straight to warming all of me. A Gracious Father God - a Gracious Gift. Edward, I have known since I was 15 years old, said, "Oh, he Really Does Look like Your Dad." No doubt. No doubt.
Ephesians 3
Abba, Abba, Abba
Holy, Holy, Holy is
our Good and Gracious Heavenly Father,
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family
in heaven
and on earth derives its name.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever!
Amen.
Jesus is God. No doubt. No doubt.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment