At his funeral, one by one they came up to the pulpit. They shared story after story of how my dad’s life had intersected theirs. Often a coffee shop the setting. He poured words of encouragement over them as the coffee flowed.
Men in their 20s talking of him giving them vision for their life. Praying for their discernment of their gifts and passions. Helping them to believe in who they were made to be.
A man a few years younger spoke of his eagerness in being discipled. Of soaking it up. Of my dad’s willingness to learn and pass it on.
Another, in his 80s quietly shared the secret that he had discovered. My dad was the one that had given anonymously so that he could travel on a missions trip.
The day of his funeral is over seven years in the past. His legacy continues.
I stand, knowing I come from an encouraging people.
Knowing that encouragement flows from giving. The gift of words. The gift of time. The gift of resources.
From sometimes wordless offerings that say “I believe in you.”
I believe you are more than your circumstances. More than your past. More than you may be able to believe about yourself.
My dad modeled this. Exuded it. Seeing every encounter as an opportunity to bless. To water souls in a dry land. To see the world in color.
I use to live into this DNA more. Sending three or four notes a week. Offering written words to encourage. To let others know they are seen. They are noticed. They matter.
I wonder why I have let that slip. Technology? Time? Lies that my words don’t matter?
In the very act of typing this, I make myself a challenge. To honor a 58 year life of encouraging. To not let moments pass. Those moments when I notice sadness, gray clouds, doubt, crossing over the face of another. When my heart says pay attention bring offerings of grace and mercy.
Father may you enlighten the eyes of my heart, that my words be of encouragement, deep, real, nourishing ‘like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Amen.
Linking today with Imperfect Prose. GraceLaced Mondays, Soli Deo Gloria, The Weekend Brew and Leaving a Legacy
{bottom picture taken in Spring 2005, Portland OR}
Melanie- this was a lovely tribute to your father. How heartwarming to consider his legacy and purpose to walk in it.
Truly, I loved this post.
Thank you Kathi. It is a good reminder for me- thank you for your encouragement 🙂
Aw, Melanie! The gift of a Daddy’s encouragement resonates with my heart in deep ways! Wrote a similar post yesterday about how my Daddy is still poring into my life even though he has alzheimers. A legacy of encouragement- love that! And I love being deliberate about the legacy that we leave behind us.
Thank you for this and I am sorry for your loss. Thanks for being a blessing through your words. And while you may not see it the same, your generosity with your words in this place is more of an encouragement to others than I think you even know. Much love!
Becky thank you for sharing in remembering our dads impact of encouragement. It is easy to see that you share that with your dad..
I’m heading out in a few minutes, but can’t wait to go read your post about your dad.
I do pray that this place be one of encouragement, thank you for saying that.
Dear Melanie
What a wonderful gift to have such memories of your father! Glad today’s word is encouragement so that you could share this with us! My memories of my dad is of a man who always loved, loved and loved.
XX
Mia
Hi Mia! It is so good for me from time to time to write about my dad. And to remember his impact. I’m so happy your memories of your dad are of him loving.
Love to you!
Reading this from Emily’s blog. Tears in my eyes! Love this so much, I really needed to hear that I am more than my circumstances! http://whennottolaughoutloud.blogspot.ca/
Choosing to “stand” as your father did. I like that! Although I think you already are!!!
What a beautiful post about your daddy. To leave someone with the legacy of encouragment is a beautiful thing. I want to get back into sending personal notes. I have a whole bunch of beautiful cards just waiting to bless someone!
What a wonderful thing to pass on. You are blessed!
Thank you for this:
Knowing that encouragement flows from giving. The gift of words. The gift of time. The gift of resources.
{coming from Soli Deo Gloria ~ right behind you:)}
I have also let the gift of the written word slip with the ease of technology. What a sweet tribute to your dad. Thanks so much for linking up and telling this story.
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. What a difference encouraging words can make. Glad I stopped by.
Visiting from the ‘Leaving a Legacy’ blog hop. 🙂