Full Time Worshiper in Heaven

Today mark's 11 years that my dad and brother joined the heavenly chorus as a full time worshiper. I sure miss them, miss the special times in my life that they were not able to share...my wedding day, my accomplishments, the arrival of sweet Baby K.

As this day approaches I always ask myself if this will be the year I visit the grave side. I have only been there once or twice because I firmly believe that the memory of them is really in my heart.......I see my dad in all sorts of things I do...I see him in the way I love Chris and the way I discipline Kaitlyn (he used to say Sommer, I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare..ha!). I see him in the way I love to sing and worship with arms extended to the Lord. I see him in my love for people and the way I love to encourage.

Instead of visiting the graveside, I like to pull out an e-mail that my dad forwarded to close friends on 2/23/99, his final day on Earth. The story reminds me that in this world we will have troubles, but our hope is that our Savior has overcome the world.

Enjoy the parable of the donkey.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! 

Shake it off and take a step up.

Thanks for sharing dad.
Through Christ I have been able to shake it off, take a step up, and my life will never be the same because of the healing in my heart.