Dad's Testimony

Dad and Mom's 50th Anniversary, 1998

The sweetest part of Dad's birthday party the other night was when he quieted the guests and began to give his testimony.  He spoke of his lifelong love of children, and his desire to have several children of his own.  When he met Helen, he knew that he had met the future mother of those children.  But he was not living for the Lord.  He knew that, if he were to be a good father for his children, he himself would need to be a follower of Jesus.

Just two months into their marriage, Dad gave his life to Christ.  He and Mom have now had 62 years together, serving Christ and raising their family to know Him.

Dad spoke of experiencing the Lord's provision for our family; of the ache of losing a son and the hand of God on our lives during those days; of the joy he has experienced as a follower of Christ.  He spoke with deep conviction, with tenderness and sweetness.  He ministered to our hearts as we listened to his struggles and his sense of God's presence.

Later, when we were alone, I mentioned that he certainly seemed to be prepared with this testimony, even though it was a surprise party!  "I've been thinking about this for quite some time," he told me.  "There was a young man who came to the door selling security systems, and I talked to him about this.  I think maybe he was a Christian; he seemed very open to what I had to say."

The Bible says that "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."*  Dad has praise in his heart because Christ has changed him, so that's what flows out.  That impresses me about Dad.  But so does the fact that he would share this story with a perfect stranger who showed up on his doorstep!  That's the life of Christ, flowing through him to others, whether he knows them or not.

*Matthew 12:34