My father died suddenly of a massive heart attack on May 23, 2014. We talked some a week earlier at my daughter’s birthday party. We had a good time. In light of Father’s Day being only a few days away, as I mourn the loss, I find myself longing for a few minutes of conversation with him. “If I could just talk with him, I would tell him how much I appreciated him.” I’ve told dad in the past of my appreciation for him, but I question if I told him enough, and if I told him enough recently.
Thus, what follows is what I would say to dad if I could have a brief conversation with him. This exercise is for me and those who have fathers who are still living. If your father is still living, you have an opportunity to tell him how much you appreciate him. Don’t wait! You can tell him “enough” and tell him “enough recently.” This article is not for my father, for he’s enjoying His Lord at King Jesus’ table today in Heaven. My earthly father has reached the goal, Heaven with Christ, and he now needs nothing, including the thoughts of his son.
Dad, if I could talk to you, I would say. . .
Thank you for reading the Bible in front of me when I was a young boy. Some of my earliest memories are of you reading the Bible in your spot on the couch. I read the Bible every day in part due to your example.
Thank you for dragging me to church. I hated going to that boring place, but you made me go. I was loved by Christians there, and taught the word of God there. I’m a Christian and a pastor today partly because of your demand for your family to worship the Lord every Sunday.
Thank you for teaching me that you need Jesus. Due to your sin, you were not good enough to earn God’s favor. You needed Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. You needed Him to forgive you, to save you from the Hell you deserved. If you needed Him, then I knew I needed Him as well.
Thank you for helping others in private. You’ve helped numerous people who were less fortunate than you over the years. You never trumpeted your good deeds, but I overheard many of them. Through your example, I learned that I too should help others.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of honesty and integrity concerning vocation. You worked hard, and you always gave your best. I remember one time when I went to work with you when I was a teenager. We were putting baffles in a new house so you could blow insulation in the attic. Due to us cutting the baffles, there was cardboard everywhere. Many who had already worked on the house had left their garbage behind, but you insisted that we clean up our mess. I was angry because I was ready to leave. We cleaned up our mess together, and I learned a valuable lesson. What others do is not our standard. We must be obedient to the Lord regardless what others do. We work for God, not man.
Thank you for praying over my ministry when I preached at your church. I was in my early twenties, and your pastor had invited me to preach. When you prayed before the love offering, you wept as you prayed for God to bless my ministry. Your approval encouraged me to continue in gospel ministry.
If I could talk with you, I wouldn’t speak of your sins and shortcomings. Now that you’re gone, they seem strangely small and insignificant. . . for they lay in the grave where we placed your body. When that body rises, it will rise anew; it will rise glorified in the likeness of your Savior, Christ’s resurrection body. Because of God’s grace, you will return with Christ to rule and reign forevermore! Hallelujah!
