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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Father (as in paternal parent, not God) (04/10/08)
My heart clenched as I walked across the campgrounds toward my parents. I pass people huddled in clumps, hashing over the meeting my father had just left.

"Choice." This was the word I heard most often as I passed the groups. I kept my eyes on that sweet couple I was walking toward and moved faster. They were holding hands, my mother using my father as a cane to keep walking through the crippling pain of her arthritic hips. My shoulders tensed as I reached them. I handed my mother the crackers I had fetched for her, gave my father a swift hug, and then left, not knowing what to say.

"My dad was crying," I texted my boyfriend, packing the tears filling my heart into those four words.

I had known that this day was coming, the day when my dad would be asked to make a choice, to follow men, or to follow God. As a pastor, my dad was responsible to God for himself, and for the people in his congregation. If he stepped off of the Word, he would no longer be fit to be a spiritual leader.

Choice. My dad made the only choice available to him. He followed God.

The months following were awful for me. My world as I knew it began crumbling, and the man I thought I would marry walked out of my life. My dad was always there.

I would often call him at work. "Daddy, do you want to do lunch?" He would always say yes, and eat the mexican food I craved, even while knowing that his stomach wouldn't thank him later. He was my anchor through those long quiet days when I had too much time to think.

Choice. My father chose to stay with his Father, to follow Him no matter the cost.

I have always respected my Daddy. I grew up thinking that he should be president. He knows everything. He can converse knowledgably on any subject (for any great length of time!). He has a quiet authority, a gentle wisdom. In his times of trial, he followed the best example he had. "Like a lamb before the shearers was dumb, so he opened not his mouth."

My respect has only grown. Even though men may never recognize my daddy for the great man he is in my eyes, I know that when God calls him home, Daddy will certainly hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter ye into the joy of the Lord."
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Debi Derrick
04/19/08
There's some very good writing here, the emotional aspect is very compelling. I would like to know more, though, about what happened.
Beth LaBuff 
04/20/08
I love the fact that you thought your dad should be president. That is one of the most profound statements I've read in a long time. That sums up everything. Your learned so much from the way he handled the "church" situation. You were truly blessed to have a father like him. Your loving tribute is wonderful.
Misti Chancellor
05/08/08
You said it well, but there's no way you could have said it all. I'm with ya, sis. We have a really great Dad who's been a really good example.

Love ya,
Misti