A few weeks ago, I received a letter from a good friend in Nashville. I first got acquainted with this young man when he repaired my computer a year ago. He now works part-time because he is pursuing further schooling in preparation for full-time Christian ministry.

His wife recently gave birth to their first child. My friend gave me permission to use a portion of his letter to me. His letter touched my innermost. Please pray for this young couple in the months ahead.

“I actually had the great opportunity to deliver our baby. That was the most incredible experience in my life (aside from Jesus’ saving grace). I had been praying that the Lord could teach me something through all this and He answered that day. As I stood there and held that baby’s head as he came out…and felt him take his first breath in my hands, I began to cry for the joy I felt within. At that very moment God spoke to me inside and said that is the way Jesus is when we are born into His family. Oh, what love! Believe me, I was on ‘cloud nine’ for a long time. Not only did I just deliver my baby, but God gave me a message, too. This set off a personal study on the ‘Love of God’ that still has not ended.” Thus ends a lesson on life – new life. Next is a story about the other end of life as we know it on this earth.

A good friend of mine shared the circumstances surrounding the death of his brother. His brother was killed in a freak tractor accident in Ohio. He was one day short of 64. My friend loaned me a tape of the memorial service. At this service, his brother’s three year old granddaughter quoted the 23rd Psalm. My eyes brimmed and spilled over. Five of his six children shared their thoughts and feelings with family and friends at the service. His brother’s written statement was read.

The obvious esteem with which they held their father was so evident. The endearing term, “daddy”, was sprinkled throughout. Many references were made to his firmness and fairness…his patient and loving attitude toward his family and just about everyone with whom he came in contact. There was pain, understandably, because he “went home” at a relatively young age. Unfulfilled dreams and plans were mentioned. These children agreed on one thing: their Daddy was tops! That a sixty-four year old man was still “Daddy” spoke volumes to me!

All parents would like to believe that someday, their children might share similar feelings when their walk in this life ends. This successful family experience doesn’t “happen” accidentally. As parents, we spend a good portion of our lives building character into our children, setting good examples for them, encouraging them to excel in their walk with Jesus. Above all else, we fervently pray for them. We don’t do this because we want positive words spoken about us some day when we die. We do this because we want to leave our families and this world in better shape than we found it. The young couple in Nashville are just starting down that long road. The father in Ohio has finished that all-too-short journey. Please pray for these families. Lift up parents with whom you’re acquainted to the Father. Parenting isn’t easy!

A country parson once observed, “You rear a child like you throw a ball. Give it the best start you can while it’s in your hands, for it must go the rest of the way by itself.”

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