5:87 -HIs memory is a blessing

#faithbites #faithjourney blessing

Intro

13 years. 4,748 days. that is how long it’s been since I lost my dad. So long ago but still so fresh. My dad was far from perfect, but he was my dad. I miss him and try to keep his memory alive. In the Jewish religion, instead of saying that someone should “rest in peace”, they say, “May his (or her) memory be a blessing“. Without getting deep into religion and explaining it, I choose to focus on our memories. We had great times and terrible times. He loved us, even though sometimes he was bad at showing it. His memory true is and continues to be a blessing. What I wouldn’t give for my kids to have seen him once or spend one day with him.

From his corny Dad jokes to his crazy sense of humor to his love of Star Trek to his infatuation with computers and technology, I have many of his characteristics. Sure I don’t have his macgyver gene but some of my other siblings do We all have part of him in us and I see it in his kids. He wasn’t perfect, wasn’t great, but was my Dad and I miss him. My dad wasn’t active in synagogue when he was older, nor was he what some would call religious, but he was spiritual and his faith and Jewish culture were very important to him. God was always with him.

Scripture

• Psalm 73:26 – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
• Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
• Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• John 16:22 = “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Reflection and Pray

Lord, thank you for our fathers and mothers. Thank you for helping us remember them by doing things they did (drinking diet caffeine-free Pepsi, going to air shows, watching science fiction). Lord, you help their memory to be a blessing not only for us, but for those who know us as their memory has an impact on who we are today. Lord, thank you for that. Finally, Lord, when you see Dad, say hi to him and let him know that we are doing ok. In your name, Amen.