I don't know but one thing I do know is Duck tape can fix anything.
1:55 PM
I can still hear his voice. "Aw, hell Faye I
don't know." I heard this phrase so much growing up I would dare say
he is the one who coined the phrase. If there is one thing I learned from
my GRAND dad is that sometimes, most times he just didn't know. While he
self admittedly NOT know the answer or why something just was, he did know
how to fix almost anything with duck tape. 
The fact that he didn’t have all the answers is
actually quite comforting to me. Even in his doubt he was steady, strong,
confident, firm, quiet, and I would say patient. Seriously, for a man who
had gone through as much loss, suffered as much pain as he, I never heard him
yell at us kiddos. Nor did he ever once give up hope. AND. Believe. ME.
We needed yelling at from time to time. AND. Believe. ME. We faced some
hopeless situations as a family.
He was a good Father. He taught me
reliability. He showed me endurance. Displayed patience while
quietly lying on the couch awaiting our arrival as teens, no matter the time of
night he’d be there. He tinkered. He walked. He saved.
He was always on time never late. He was faithful to his wife. He
loved deep. He protected us. He was quiet. Gentle in embrace
and clever in thought, he was as GRAND as they come.
Maybe you don't have a strong example of an earthly
father. I get that my biological father is in prison and has been since I
was three, but my real Dad my GRAND dad who raised my brother and I when he had
already raised three of his own showed me the heart of my heavenly father. 
There will be countless times in life where we just
hang our heads and say, "Awe, hell Faye, I don't know." I am
coming into a place in my life where I am ok with not knowing. I,
like my GRAND dad, am confident, steadfast, firm and at peace with not always
knowing. There is a certain release of chains, pressure, and stress when
we come into a place of trust. There is a peace that comes when we surrender to
the war of having to know, having to figure things out, and simply trust.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own
understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge
Him,
And He will make your
paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from
evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:5-8)
My GRAND dad was resolute and never wavered.
Somehow he just knew. He knew things had a way of working
themselves out, and life doesn't need our help as much as we think.
Life has worked its' way out alright, right into the hearts of those
who believe.
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me."(John 14:6)
My dad knew things would work out because he
knew the one who worked things out.
(Romans 8:28)
My prayer for you today is that you will see our
Abba, is a good, good, father and he is perfect in all of His ways. And
you in your mess, you are His good, and perfect gift sent from heaven to live
here on earth. To shine His light and reveal His glory.
Even in the not knowing we can know. We can
know the ONE who knows all things, the ONE who is never moved, the ONE who
holds all things in the palm of His hands. IT is the knowing of HIM that
gives us the ability to live at peace and be ok with not knowing.
While there are many things in life I do not have
answers to and want to hang my head and say, "Awe hell, I don't
know." There is one thing I do know and it is that when I trust Him
I know I am not alone, I am never mislead, the way has been paved,
and the price has been paid, and I have nothing to fear even the unknown.
5 comments
What a beautiful tribute and such a gift to have had such a loving Dad to show you how your Heavenly Father loves!
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes Karrilee he was truly an amazing man, and a great example. I am just now seeing the parallels in my life, I didn't know that was what he was doing until now that I am grown and have my own children.
DeleteWe don't like the not knowing, do we? Sometimes I pray for God to show me everything before I step out - but then it wouldn't be faith, and we would pat ourselves on the back at how awesome our life-planning skills were! Glad to know that it's ok NOT to know everything!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tribute to your grand dad and such a great reminder of how much our heavenly father loves us.
ReplyDeleteHow very fortunate and blessed you are too have such a Grand Dad.
ReplyDelete