My Dad was a really great dad! My brother and I were wrestlers and played baseball while growing up. My father worked very long hours, but was at every wrestling practice and every competition. Same with baseball! When we were training, he ran every mile and did every push-up we did, plus some.
He served in the Royal Canadian Army in the rainbow division. The Rainbows were trained in hand to hand combat as their primary offense. They were also taught explosives and firearms, but physical contact fighting was their focus.
I have never seen my father afraid of anyone. Even though he had this knowledge he was a very gentle man and loved to help others. He had a saying, “Live and help live”.
Photo of my mom and dad
After my parents got married, my dad went to the United States and settled in New Jersey. I was born in New Jersey.
My dad was always picking up hitch hikers, even bringing them home to feed them a good home cooked meal. Many times he would let them stay the night, my mom would feed them breakfast in the morning and then he would help them get to their destination.
We ate at the family dinner table. We never had much money, but we had love, safety and good food. Every night after eating dinner we read the Holy Bible together.
For some reason, even with a great home, I began to rebel and by the time I was 13 I began to smoke cigarettes and marijuana. I also began to drink. By the time I was 22 my life was a wreck. I was hooked on drugs, alcohol and was suicidal. With the direction I chose, I hurt my parents in every way possible.
I know my mom and dad kept praying for me! One day my parents found me passed out on a road. At 2 AM I was in the dark and passed out on this road and it was my parents who found me. My dad had to pick me up and put me in the car and take me to where I was living. He left me $50 and a note. “If you would give your life to Jesus, He will resolve the conflict in your heart!”
They were on their way to Canada on vacation. I can imagine the vacation was not that enjoyable to them.
A month or so later, I was visiting my parents in Virginia. I was still a mess! One day in a rage I went behind their house. I was punching the ground and yelling at God.
I never read my Bible, never prayed, never attended church and never thought of God. That is when Jesus appeared to me. Many Christians immediately discredit you when you say you saw Jesus. Well, then what about the Apostle Paul? The truth is He is appearing to many in our time. Many are getting converted by a vision to dream from Jesus.
One touch from Jesus and I was completely set free from alcohol and drug addiction. I never again from that day on thought of suicide. I began immediately to love life. I really was a different man from that day forward. Not perfect, different!
Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,
So back to my dad.
I walked up to him. He stuck out his hand for a handshake. I pushed his hand aside and I put my arms around his neck. I kissed him on the cheek. I told him I love him and how sorry I was for the hell I put him through.
From this time forward we were the best of friends. We did everything together. We had mutual respect and we had joy of being Son and Father.
We had about 20 years of this great friendship. And then my dad got really ill! I had to carry him to the car when we took him to the hospital. For the next month and a half it was like a rollercoaster ride. Every day I went to work and every night I would stay with my dad by his hospital bed. I shaved him, washed his hair, did everything he needed. I wouldn’t trade anything for those days that I was able to give back some to my incredible dad.
I remember the things in life that I might have been tempted to do, actually nothing tempted me. I wad hidden in Jesus, resting in His comfort.
I asked the Lord, “How do you keep a heart that is not tempted to sin when everything is going well? He said to me, “You bear the burdens of others!” If someone’s father or mother is sick, you treat it like it is your own mother or father. If someone’s child is rebellious or drugging. Pray like it is your own child.
Take the heart of an intercessor! This is the yoke and burden of Jesus. Who ever lives to intercede on our behalf!
I have just been missing my dad! There is so many things I would love to tell him and some things I would like to ask. It would be great if he would know my 4 year old boy, or more important my boy would know his grandad.
Some thoughts from Daddy William
God bless!
Sorry about you missing your dad, truly from the reading he was a great man. You should be proud of yourself and Lord Jesus for having turned your life from that of destruction. I pray to God to give you more strength and courage for your son and family.
Thank you for this touchy story.
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I miss my dad too I was 17 when he died and it has been 41 yrs but I still miss him
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Hi miss @purpledaisy57, it doesn't matter how old you are, if one had a good relationship with someone they lost, will always miss them. Am glad you seem to be responsible adult. Bless you.
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It has been quite awhile for me also. Just something triggers some feelings now and then.
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