Proverbs 17: 6 says “the glory of children is their father.”
My Father was a Missouri farm boy, transplanted in California after the 1929 Great Depression, when there was no work and people were in soup lines for lack of food. He stood tall and was strong. He was a man of few words (a wise man). He married my mother and while pregnant with me was in a horrific car accident that instantly killed his best friend and threw him through the windshield 40 feet down an embankment on the Missouri river.
Severely injured and broken, the doctors rebuilt his face, arms, legs, and repaired his internal injuries. He spent a year in the hospital and barely survived. He nursed, in pain, an almost completely severed leg the rest of his life. Going against all odds, my Dad lived to preserve for his heritage an exceptional example of courage, discipline, integrity and excellence of character. His allegiance to God, country and family; his instant obedience to what he knew was right; his endurance through years of pain without medication; his sense of order and efficiency; his generosity; his deep love for my mother and the four of us girls made him a man that was “respected at the gates” and securely treasured in our hearts.
His personal victory over crushing obstacles throughout the years has been an inspiration to all who know him, especially his family, who basked in the shadow of his fierce loyalty and determination.
I recently found this inside his Bible. It was written by my Dad. It is his statement of faith and a firm testimony of who he was and what he believed…
“Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the breath of Life within us; the fountain that refreshes us; the Grace that frees us; the truth that renews our minds; the love that fills our hearts; the fullness that gives us joy.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world for all people. God so loves this world that He gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins. Yes, yours and mine…we are all sinners.
Learn to be wise by making wise decisions. Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from working at it. Bad decisions come from carelessness. Do you want to spend your life or invest your life? My continual prayer is ‘what can you do with my life, Lord?’
Yield yourself to Him completely. He will continue to unfold more for you to invest.
I will do-go anywhere…what do you want me to do?
Lord, here I am…do with me what you desire.”
I’m thinking Daddy left this for us, knowing we would all want his Bible after he was taken to his heavenly home. It certainly reveals his character and evangelistic heart. I never heard my Dad complain and his exemplary life has called me to a higher standard. I am so blessed to have had him in my life for 76 years! He is not only a “hard act to follow”, but an honored man that won this daughter’s heart and earned my deepest love, respect and gratitude.
There will never be another like
my Dad…. and I miss him…
Married 72 years…
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
