My Psalm One Daddy

MY PSALM ONE DADDY

My dad was not perfect, but is anybody’s? He lived to the ripe old age of ninety and I knew him as the oldest of three siblings.

Some people would call dad a “preacher man.” Not me. In the professional world he was called a minister, which was fine. But on a day-to-day basis I saw him as a “pastor.”

Pastor brings to mind pasture. Pasture brings to mind sheep. Sheep need a shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). That was the type of relationship dad had with people in his congregations.

Dad in Action

Dad studied long and hard to faithfully share God’s Word in church services. I’ve heard people say, “You preachers have it easy. You only work on Sunday.” Not true with dad. With him it was ministry twenty-four/seven.

Sometimes people came to our home. Other times they went to his office. He went to them, too, through hospital and home visitation. It was important to him to feed the sheep in practical ways and everyday settings.

My dad’s faithful ministry had a large impact on my life, but that’s not why I call him “My Psalm One Daddy.” That title comes from his personal life.

Daddy Up Close

 My life was greatly influenced by his consistency. Although compassionate to the wayward, he held himself accountable to personal principles. For example, his word was his bond. He paid his bills. He loved and provided for his wife and children. He set an example in higher education. He planned family vacations.

Before dad passed away, I was his caregiver for two and a half years. Until the last few days, I saw him read his giant print Bible and get down on his knees to pray. This matched my childhood memories.

The last three days of his life were in a hospice care center. My oldest brother was sitting with him while I went to enjoy a cup of hot tea in a deli.

Suddenly I felt extremely impressed to go home, get my Bible, then go share Psalm One with dad.

A Personal Message

Standing close to his bedside, I said, “Dad, according to Psalm One, you are a blessed man. You have not taken advice from the wicked, but you’ve walked in the ways of the Lord as you’ve read and studied His word.”

“You may not have felt prosperous, but God daily met your needs. You have produced spiritual fruit continually as you’ve shared God’s Word and prayed for people all these years.”

“And there are people in the churches you pastored who have continually loved the Lord and raised their families to do the same.” I then read Psalm One aloud.

Father's Day

Dad never responded, but since hospice says hearing is the last to go, I believe he heard me. 

Today is Father's Day. Though he died six years ago, I’m still thankful for my Psalm One daddy.

Are Your Words Building Blocks?

ARE YOUR WORDS

BUILDING BLOCKS?

The other day a friend and I were discussing modern communications. She enjoys Facebook and texting. I enjoy texting and Email. It's nice to have that instant communication, although I still enjoy writing a letter or sending a card.

We also talked of another modern phenomenon: Anyone who has an opinion on anything can now share it easily with everyone. Op Ed pieces in daily newspapers, for example, are probably out-shined by hundreds of opinions shared on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

What's disturbing about this is the imbalance of words. It would be nice if more opinions were shared as building blocks. We all know our world and our lives need improvement. There's no harm in telling the truth.

But many opinions come across as stumbling stones filled judgement, anger and/or bitterness. No positive solutions or suggestions are included.

Meaningful Community

Since the days of Adam and Eve life has been filled with challenges. Which century or culture has never had to deal with lack of food, job challenges, political powers, death, human relationships or major losses following natural disasters? 

In times like those, meaningful community relationships make a difference. I'm talking about a positive sense of community that comes from living with others in friendly association.

Simply being around people creates community in a broad sense. But that loose connection rarely helps us when life piles on personal challenges.

Satisfying, helpful, long-lasting community is developed deliberately. Think of your most satisfying relationships. Did they just grow automatically? Or were they developed by deliberate acts of caring and communication? How about a sharing of time?

Personal Community

Satisfying personal relationships are built on genuine concern for others. People with a "Me-Me" attitude can find themselves alone at the most inopportune times.

Have you ever thought of how words have built or broken your relationships? Some people think words always have to be rosy and sweet. But Proverbs 27:6 says, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

I'm grateful for friends I can trust to speak truth into my life. In fact, I go to them when I need help in sorting through issues for which I have no clear answers.

Proverbs 15:23 describes such a two-sided friendship perfectly: "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply---and how good is a timely word."

Perhaps our world could be improved if people put less emphasis on simply sharing their opinion and more time on an apt reply or timely word.

Make a Difference

None of us can solve modern communication problems single-handed. But together we can make a difference by using our words as building blocks.

Everyone's words have power. Yes, yours! And mine, too.