Daddy’s Legacy

My dad has been in heaven for seven years now.  Today he would have been 77 years old.  I wrote this poem for my him three months before he passed away, in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary that we had managed to gather all of us kids together for.  Happy Birthday, Dad.  You were a great man, and are greatly missed!

Not a wealthy man, in earthly terms, yet rich beyond compare.

You didn’t strive for new possessions.  For these, you didn’t care.

But, what you lacked materially was made up in the end

In assets beyond measure; proven character, family, and loyal friends

You taught us by example to put God and family first

You worked long hours just to earn enough to be dispersed

To pay the bills, clothe the kids, put groceries on the shelf,

Kids in school, gas in the car, but you didn’t lavish on yourself

One trait of yours that I admire and forever have sought after

Is your knee-slapping, gut-splitting, contagious, roaring laughter

I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much it meant to me

To be the one to make you laugh, and fill your day with glee

Thank you dad, for showing us the Source of joy, the Truth

For teaching us, and training us while in our days of youth

Thank you for the time you spent down on your knees in prayer

For following God’s guidance and the wisdom you found there

Thank you for the heritage that money can’t afford

Thanks for your example of a life lived for the Lord

Thank you Dad, for all you’ve done, for guidance and provision

Thank you for the legacy of Lovin’, Laughin’ & Livin’.

Lynda Hedges

January 2005

Why don’t you live like you believe it?

Hey you! 

Yes, you…the one wearing the name “Christian”.  You, you, and you.  The ones who say “Jesus is coming back”, “We are in the end times”, and “Jesus loves you”.

Do you really believe what you are saying to the world?  Do you really even hear yourself? 

If what you say is true, why are you bitter and angry?  Why do you rip your brother or sister to shreds with your words?  Where is your love?  If your life contradicts the words your mouth pours forth, can I trust your testimony at all?

When Jesus walked the earth, He loved.  He didn’t just command that we do so too, He gave us an example to follow, and He even went so far to say that this is how the world would know we belong to Him; that is, our love for one another.  Jesus emptied Himself and poured Himself into those he loved; He forgave them, healed them, ministered to them, and ultimately died for them.  If your love has grown cold to your brother or sister, if you are resentful, abusive, filled with anger and hateful words, or neglecting the needs of your own, you are not known for your love, but for your apathy and animosity.  Your words are a clanging noise, your actions are screaming that you believe otherwise.

And the world is watching you.  They listen to your words, and they watch how you interact with your family, friends, neighbors, and enemies.  They are looking for authenticity, and you are so busy seething over perceived wrongs, that you can’t adequately minister hope to anyone, because you don’t have any even for yourself.