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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ROAD TRIP (vacation) (07/02/15)
‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

My father is passing into his eternal glory and I am preparing to travel to Georgia to be with him and my family. A vacation of sorts since the last time we were all together was 20 years ago. This will be a first for me and my family; the first of our family to die after 70 years in the making. We have always been a tight group; never having to experience life without each other. Our family has had our share of dysfunction but in the end we truly care about each other. It will be interesting to see how all 11 of us; my mom and her 10 kids, will handle the passing of our leader; a good and faithful servant of God.

I have brothers and sisters who have stepped up to the plate to lead when needed but what we will miss is the example my dad has set as a faithful servant of God. In his humble, unwavering faith he has guided this family through years of committed service by being a shining example to living a faith-driven life. My mother who is also very faith-driven will probably soon follow dad as no one can imagine her living without him. They were a team, always relying on God to fulfill their needs. Who will be the example when they are gone? It will be interesting to see which of us 10 children will step up to the plate and be the example of good and faithful servants. There are several of us who lead a faith-driven life but I’m not sure any of us have the humble spirit that my dad has and the need to encourage that my mother carries.

Am I to be that example? I could try, but I am not as dedicated to serving as Mom and Dad are. So active in church and evangelism; I have a problem with church and its politics. They were so willing to serve others; as an introvert, I can serve as long as I can do it my way. They were always reading and studying the bible; I go through stages.

Being newly retired I have been struggling to find my purpose. I know that I want to serve the Lord but I have not truly figured out what path God wants me to follow. Is this where He is leading me? Am I to step up to the plate and be the faith-driven example my family will need?

I can think of one or two of my siblings that may possibly be the example we will surely need, but I am not sure they understand completely Mom and Dad’s faith and purpose in life. Mom once told me that I was the perfect combination of her and dad. Is that why I seem to understand them better than most? I don’t know. But I do know that we will be lost without the example we have all come to depend on. If someone doesn’t step up to the plate and be the example for a faith-driven life, what will happen to the family? Do we have enough of mom and dad’s character to continue on as status quo, or will Satan slowly eat us away and will we become more of this world and not of God’s. That would be an awful legacy to leave our descendants.

Something to think about as I travel to be with family during this grave time. I will do my best mom and dad. I will try to be an extension of you. Thank you for giving me your 50+ years of diaries to help me be this person. Thank you for being the good and faithful servants you were. I pray that I have the strength to be your legacy going forward. I love and admire you both, good and faithful servants.
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This article has been read 495 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
07/09/15
Wow- this was moving and an emotional read with and resonated an authentic tone.

If it is indeed true...I'm sorry, but sure you'll be a great part of the legacy as you go forward making both God and your parents proud.

GOd bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/10/15
This is a beautiful tribute to both of your parents, but especially your father. You brought tears to my eyes, but I also smiled.

I do fear you missed the topic though. I know you mentioned the trip at the beginning and the end, but most of your lovely story wasn't about the vacation. It felt a bit forced to me like you had the story in mind and tried to make it fit the topic. If you check some of the stories in level four, you'll see that some can write on topic without ever mentioning the topic word.
Also, remember to write numbers out (most say to a hundred, but some say to ten).

I loved your descriptions and musings. I could feel the love in your words. I have no doubt that your family will treasure this story for generations. You are blessed to be a part of such a family and have blessed me by sharing your story.