Generations in Meeting Mr. Jesus Christ

Today my dad and I went to lunch, technically to celebrate his seventy-ninth birthday, but really just because. I'm am, at the age of fifty-three, every bit the daddy's girl I was at age three. I love and admire my dad, looking up to him with admiration and awe. As a little girl and teen I wanted to be just like him when I grew up but now know I have to be who I am. Still, there is much about him I hope I am or will be like during my lifetime.

We had a nice Chinese lunch while we caught up on what has happened in the past three months since we last spent time together. I was surprised how much territory we covered. Of course we talked about the weather and family, his work and my church activity. All in all it seemed a really normal visit. Later tonight, though, I began meditating on the realities, the newness and changes.

Dad has visibly aged. Once standing a towering six foot three inches over my five foot one he now is perhaps six inches taller than me, walks with a somewhat sideways gait due to serious arthritis in his back. Last I saw him he was fighting a bad bought of bronchitis that tired him easily and for several months. There is a frailty about him I've never noted before, yet he is completely healthy and continues to work full-time, willingly and with great joy.

Today as we arrived at the restaurant we had to step over a considerable icy patch in order to get to the plaza walk. I, being thoughtful, pointed it out to him wanting to be sure he not slip. With intrepidation he stepped over the ice and we continued on. I didn't give a second thought to the challenge this might be for him until we left and had to cross the icy barrier again. This time, instinctively, I reached for his hand to help steady him and without hesitation he accepted, commenting I was now doing the things my step-mom does for him. It is the first time in my life I have "taken care of" dad. For fifty-three years he has taken care of me in one way or another.

I felt a gentle sadness and happiness at the same time to have become aware my role in dad's life is changing, forever.

Not long after I arrived back home my son called me. This has become a several-time-a-week activity of his. As he is walking between his classes or to work he calls to chat and just check in on me. We have always been very close, the older he gets how he approaches me changes, which started when his dad died five years ago. Recently a new kind of caring and concern has come about, one that leaves me feeling very loved. Last summer when I broke my leg and was completely restricted to bed for thirteen weeks he called frequently and drove an hour each way to visit and do chores around my house and yard when he could. The past several months while I was riding out a severe bipolar episode he called often, today commenting I sounded much better. Imagine being listened to closely enough to have someone know how I am doing! At Christmas when the power went out for six days he came for me and took me into his home. Christmas eve he went with me when it was time to put Tucker to rest. Ryan is twenty-seven and caring for me. When I was twenty-seven he was an infant in my care.

What I became aware of tonight is I have a very precious relationships with my father and son, they flow as God would have us choose to live, to honor and sacrifice ourselves to whenever necessary. The beauty here is I see the good shepherding of generations, from my great-grandfather on down to me. Though my dad and son are non-believers there is plenty of evidence they were borne of the Holy Spirit. I feel blessed to be their living example of Christ and know both respect, and perhaps even wonder, what this grace is that has befallen me.

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 5:1-11