Our Heavenly Father once again blessed my dad and I with a wonderful little visit. God reveals more and more of His sweet transformation of my dad’s mind, heart, and spirit. His face has become softened, sweet, even peaceful. It’s now comforting and a delight to just be with him. His “body outwardly wasting, is inwardly renewed”. God is displaying who my dad has become as His child. My earthly father has now become my brother in Christ.

But it wasn’t always this way. A few years ago, the Lord led my dad to bring his anguish and guilt about the past, and to receive God’s forgiveness. He believed and accepted Jesus as His personal Savior. As he read his Bible with a new heart, his trust grew, and the Word went deeper and wider into my dad’s life. His attitude towards God, himself, and other’s changed. The topic of our visits has moved from surface talk to our relationship with God, reading verses, and what they mean to us. Now I know, it was the Holy Spirit within who was renewing my dad’s mind, and giving him New Life. And He was changing me!

Now my dad learns and grows in his faith, and shares that with me, and I with him. What a privilege, honor, and blessing to witness all of this and more. Each visit seems to show me more and more of my dad’s surrender, freedom, and joy, It “seemed” to happen so quickly. The man I used to “see” changed from a bundle of anxiety, rage, and endless need, to a loving father who encourages and prays for his family. The man who gave me life has become the earthly father I never knew. Now we are both praying and learning to see things God’s way. We have come to know more of the Heavenly Father who loves us like no one else can, or ever will.

Praise God, He is able. Now, I’m quicker to turn to pray and thank Him for everything, and trust Him with all my needs. He is sufficient!

In His love mercy grace patience peace joy

H.H.

P.S. Our view of God impacts everything! Our choices lead toward life or death, often for a lifetime. But God changes everything. In the twinkling of an eye, He changes us, and our lives are changed forever. It’s never too late. Pray always. Always have hope. His mercies are new every morning. Trust Him!

P.P.S. My dad’s favorite verses lately are Psalm 51 (create in me a clean heart); Psalm 23; and the beatitudes. He prays to God his Protector! The grace of God brings salvation to all (Titus 2:11-14). He will cover you with His feathers, under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness becomes your shield (Ps 91:4). Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:30-31).