Christian Living

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My Father’s Legacy
©
by

Stephen A. Peterson


I had a father whose life was a paradox. I was the oldest of 13 children he helped to bring into the world. In February, 1999, my son and I went to visit him in an Indianapolis care facility.

“Son, I’m going to die soon and I’ve nothing really to leave you and my grandchildren. But I’m going to leave you directions, a legacy to live by. You’re a writer and a pretty good one, in my opinion. So I want you to do a good job of getting across what I want to say to everybody.”

Before he discussed what he wanted to give to his children and grandchildren, he dictated a letter to his children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. Afterwards, he dictated six rules for living.

“First, never fear ‘they’. Some people are more afraid of ‘they’ than anything or person in the world. Many who are the captains of industry don’t mind bullying their employees or their secretaries yet they are terrified by what ‘they’ might do, what ‘they’ might think, what ‘they’ don’t like about ‘me’.

“Second, never worship ‘things’. Many people regard their ‘things’ more valuable than their family, friends, even God Himself. Know that the more ‘things’ you have the more the ‘things’ possess you. Keep only what you need. Get rid of what you don’t use at least once a week.

“Third, never ‘believe in’ anything or anybody but God. To ‘believe in’ something is another way of saying ‘I worship you’, ‘I adore you,’ ‘I regard you above all others’. No human, place or things deserves this except your God.

“Fourth, never try to educate a ‘fool’. It’s a waste of time. You’ll have more success trying to teach an old dog new tricks.

“Fifth, never ignore ‘truth’. Relative truth, moral relativity and moral equivalency is nothing more than making lying and evil beautiful and acceptable. Only fools even try to live under these beliefs. They do so because they are what they are--FOOLS!

“Sixth,” and the principle that most assisted me is: “Laugh at yourself first. Everyone has a funny side and the world enjoys laughing at someone and with someone. Your humor of yourself and laughter at yourself will make it easier to deal with the ignorance, stupidity, nonsense and lack of good judgment on the part of so many people in the world. You will be able to laugh theirs without them even realizing it You’ll be able to live better among the insane, kooks and just plain idiots!”

My father died to this life on May 11, 1999 to be with His God and Father.

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