What I learned about God from my Dad

I was watching a video my father put on facebook today, and I realized (for the millionth time) how blessed I am to have a father that has accurately taught me the truths of God. My dad was by my side as I trusted Jesus as my Savior, was there as I made public my decision through baptism, and has been fiercely speaking truth into my life at just the right moments since then. Now, understand, I have thousands of beautiful memories from my childhood with my father, but when I really consider the ones that have been etched into my heart, there are half a dozen that still live in my mind vividly.



When I was very young, I suppose I had been going through a bout with fear at nighttime, I remember sitting across from my dad at out kitchen table. As I was feeling very anxious and afraid, I remember my father pointing at the door that led from our kitchen to our yard. With his "because I'm your daddy" face on he said, "Krystal, do you really think I would let anyone hurt you?" My father continued to describe to me the lengths to which he would go to protect me. As I look back at that evening, I am assured that my father modeled for me the strength and protection I find in God. It wasn't hard for me to understand and believe the Truth behind God protecting Israel, God protecting the apostles, and God protecting me!

When I was 14 years old, my father reminded me of the importance of faith. The moment was simple, the words were straight forward, and the application was immediate! This moment still brings me to tears and I remember it often in moments of fear and doubt, and though it might not seem so to some, it is one of the greatest moments with my Dad. I was 40 feet in the air, strapped into a harness, waiting for my youth group to let go of the cord that was going to swing me through the air like some female spiderman...On the verge of tears and sickness, I didnt think that I could go through with this. My dad looked up at me, and knowing I was only 14 years old, he kept the lesson simple.....he said, "Krystal, do you know Jesus?" To which I shakingly replied, "Yes!" And I can still hear him saying it today, "Then what are you afraid of?" The Psalms of David and the words of Paul come to my mind as I think of this moment. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" "The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?"

My dad also gave me my first taste (if you will) of church ministry, and taught me the importance in the spiritual gift of service. Through out middle school, Dad would sometimes pick me up early on Wednesdays. Being a youth minister meant lots of preparations on Wednesday nights. Dad always tried to create an atmosphere where we could all feel safe and open to worship and receive scripture and teaching. He let me be a part of this. I would help organize chairs, help copy down words to songs, or whatever else he would let me do. Not only was this our time together, but it also let me see all that God had called my dad to do.

My dad is a great man and this is because he serves a Great God! The things I have learned about God, and about serving Him, from my Dad will never leave me. Just like Paul thanked God for the testimonies and faith of the early churches, I thank God for who He has made my father to be, because he has had the biggest impact in God's molding of me!

Ladies, thank the Lord for your fathers if you have one like mine. If you do not (and even if you do), purpose in your heart to marry a man whom your future children can say these things about.

...More ramblings in a desire to be more like Him. Be a woman who rambles for Jesus!