Reckless

"His kind of love is reckless for us." - Group 1 Crew 

Reckless according to Merriam-Webster: "marked by lack of proper caution. "

The english word reckless is used in the ESV regarding the prodigal son. The Greek root word basically means "not safe". 

To love someone who doesn't love you back is not safe for you. To bless someone who doesn't deserve blessing is not safe for you. To give all you have for someone who only wants more is not safe for you. If I was talking about two people in a relationship I would probably call the  lover, blesser, and giver a fool. That's why God says in 1 Cor 1:18, 25, 27-31 "For the Word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God....For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men...But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

It's is only because of God's reckless love that I live. It's is only because of God's reckless love that I'm blessed, that He would allow me this wonderful life when I am such a wretched sinner, it's incomprehensible. And then to offer me eternity with Him as the even better prize. It just makes no sense. When I let the waves toss me to and fro, when I walk in the light today and stray tomorrow, His grace still covers me. He never changes His mind. The same God who "was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart" and said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land," (Gen 6:6) and "struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt" (Ex 12:12) and "rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire" (Gen 19:24) and said to Moses "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book," (Ex 32:33) is also "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." (Ex 34:6-7) He loves so recklessly that He sends His Son to take my guilt and sin so He does not have to blot out my name. Because He is too just to go back on his Word. He is too pure and Holy to let my sin go, to allow me as a sinner to see his face, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." (Ex 33:20) But Rev 22:4 says his servants "will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads." I will see His face, because He has purchased me with His blood (Acts 20:28). His Son paid the penalty for my sin. And so even though I'm a complete mess and failure and can never get everything right, He sees me as spotless, holy, and blameless because he imputed his Son's righteousness to me (2 Cor 5:21).

So how do I respond to this reckless love? I love as recklessly back as my sinful flesh can. I show Him reckless honor because He shows me reckless love. I become his servant, his slave, sacrificing my own will to carry out His. I pursue the One who gave it all and never gave up on me when I gave up on Him, when I didn't get it. But now that I get it, I can't turn back, I can't possibly reject this reckless love. It's what I've been searching for (and in all the wrong places) and He's been longing for me to find it. 

But when I find Him and His love I say "Do not gaze at me because I am dark" (Songs 1:6) with guilt and shame and sin. And he says: "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Songs 2:14).

And so because of Jesus, I cautiously ignite a reckless love for my God.  Stepping out of guilt and shame and claiming the righteousness of Christ as my own. Desiring above all to see his face. He is gracious. He is forgiving. He is fearsome. He is powerful. He is just. He is holy. He is reckless. ♥

Humble Parenting

Many of us complain about the hurt and damage we received from our parents in our childhood. I understand we all want to do things differently and protect our children from those kinds of hurts. But has it occurred to us that there are other hurts and damage that will be done regardless? What makes us all think we are so great at parenting that we will not screw up our kids just as much as our parents did us? We are SINNERS. We WILL screw up. We all need an extra dose of humility. None of us will be perfect parents. None of us will do EVERYTHING right. And ALL of us will look back on some of our decisions and say “man, I wish I did that differently.” My prayer for my kids is that my children will seek God’s healing for the ways that I fail. Because I WILL fail.

Another thought is that many of us judge and say well if I did what THEY do my kids would respond this way, so therefore its wrong. For example I might say if I let my 5 and 3 year old boys eat what they want, whenever they were hungry they would eat every two hours and chose junk food. Well that is because I have trained them to eat what I tell them. They dont have many chances to choose and when they do choose they want something special that they dont get all the time. For someone who has trained their child from the start to chose good healthy foods all the time, who never gave them candy or chips, their child at 5 may be able to be trusted to choose his menu. You get the idea. Its all about the training.

We need to stop comparing. "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." Gal 6:4

And stop judging how God made each one of us different. "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me [OR THEM] like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?" Rom 9:20-21

Luke 18:9-14 "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Divisions in Christian Parenting

Today I went online to my favorite christian parenting forum and found a thread which prompted an awesome Bible study for me. I know it's long but if you will bear with me there are some wonderful scriptures that I think will encourage and remind all of us of God's design for fellowship, especially among parents. 

In this day of social networking, we are much more apt to share our controversial opinions since they are hidden behind a computer screen.  Whether it be politics or parenting, I think we’ve all spouted out something on Facebook, Twitter, our blog, or a forum, that has caused a raucous.  As Christians, we often feel the need to correct other believers who are not parenting quite as “biblically” as we are.  It so easy to judge and condemn other parents when we are standing on the outside looking in, or even easier when our only relationship with them is online.

In order to make the most of fellowship and its benefits, I think there are a few things we need to remember.  We all have to be cautious to respect one another. Its so imperative not to get defensive or offended because people choose to parent a different way. God made us all unique and gave us unique children meant just for us. None of us will agree 100%, except (I hope and pray) that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead and that He is our Lord and Savior.

Another thing to consider is that those in opposition to your choices may be parents young in their faith (or just young parents). Even if there IS error in their ways, they certainly will not be won over by argument, but by love, as an unbelieving husband is won over by his submitted wife (1 Pet 3:1-2). We are told that a gentle answer turns away wrath (Prov 15:1). We are also to rebuke gently (Gal 5:6) and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting if there is sin (John 16:8).

The truth is we all have something to learn from one another. A few years ago I judged "AP" (attachment parenting) parents. Now I respect them and take from that style of parenting what works for my family. I stopped judging fellow believers by their choices and started judging them by their sin (1 Cor 5:12). 

You see, there is a difference.  And I think thats what far too many people are too lazy to figure out.  The bible teaches us the difference between sin and feelings, sin and opinions, sin and parenting styles.  AP is not sin.  Bottle feeding is not sin.  Spanking is not sin.  NOT SPANKING is not sin.  

Parenting is tough business.  God gave us fellowship so that we can share with one another. However, He cautions us to avoid arguments, quarreling and strife.

------

Prov 20:3

It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

------

Matt 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers

------

Heb 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

------

Prov 19:11

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

------

Heb 12:24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

------

1 Pet 4:8

Above all love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

------

Gal 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

------

Rom 12:18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

------

Eph 4:2-3

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

------

1 Cor 1:26-31

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'"

------

This passage and back through verse 10 basically tell us to stop thinking we are so wise and knowledgable in our ways (of parenting). We all came from foolishness in one way or another. For us to judge and argue that our way is best, is only more foolishness. It is Christ in whom we should boast. He is the One who gives us wisdom in parenting. He is the One who guides each mom or dad to do what is best for their child. Who are we to tell a mom or dad how they should parent? "Who has known the mind of the Lord or become his counselor?" (Rom 11:34)

Sharing our experiences and things we have learned is helpful to one another. It is the way we can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 12:24).

But we have to avoid the temptation to argue our way is best, as that only creates division and strife. 

The church was divided in the first century and it will be until Christ's return. It was difficult enough within the local church.  Now with the social networking revolution, we as Christian must choose to be different.

------

Rom 14:1-23

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,

‘every knee will bow before me;

every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

------

How we parent (or whether or not you eat kosher, drink alcohol, observe the sabbath, etc) is between each one of us and God. As long as we are doing it for God and by conviction of the Holy Spirit that is what matters. If we are insecure in our parenting perhaps it's time to sit down with God and His Word and seek out His will for our parenting.

------

1 Rom 15:5, 7

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ had...Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

------

Rom 15:14

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct each other.

------

We are able to fellowship and share with one another our struggles, our successes, our fears, our failures. We are able glean wisdom from those who have gone before us. We all need an extra dose of humility as parents because, of course, we think our kids are the most loved, sweetest, smartest, and most beautiful things God created. He MADE us to feel that way about them, as He feels that way about each one of us. And I think if we remember that last part it will help us to be humble, keeping in mind we are ALL His children, made in HIS image. 

------

Gal 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

So don’t give up being different for Jesus.  Don’t be a self righteous parent. Be a righteous parent, through the grace of Christ.  We are made righteous though the washing of his shed blood on the cross (Rev 7:14).  By nothing that we have done, not by breastfeeding, scheduling, co-sleeping, spanking, training, homeschooling, attachment parenting, or anything else. Only by what Jesus did once and for ALL, on the cross, can we be made righteous.  Only through acknowledging our inability to be the perfect parent can we humbly obey His command to train our children in the way THEY should go (Prov 22:6).  God calls each one of us to different ministry.  We are all to preach the gospel but we all do it in many different ways.  Why would we then not train in many different ways, all equally acceptable and effective for pointing children in the way they should go. 

We Christians need to stop thinking we are always so right.  Let’s stop trying to be right and start trying to be righteous, not by our might or our power, but by His Spirit (Zac 4:6).

Amen?

So much to do...so little time...

Next to my bed lay countless books...at least 10 that I want to read. Next to that lay my guitar that I want to play. Out in the dining room sits my child whom I want to teach. In the laundry room lay the laundry I need to fold. In the kitchen lay the dishes I should put in the dishwasher. In the fridge lay the ingredients I need to make dinner soon. In the living room lay the couch I wish I spent more time on. On the buffet lay my work files and laptop waiting for me to do year end.

And where am I? I am in bed. Laying on an ice pack and resisting the temptation to do all those things. Resting and contemplating my situation.

Why is it that when we are motivated something always slows us down. Well I guess that can be attributed to Satan. He is very good at breaking any resolve we may have to do the right things.

Or maybe it's God saying "Liz, Liz, you are troubled by many things but only one thing is needed."

"And P.S. if you wont rest and be still with Me on your own accord I'll help you slow down some other way."

Ok God. I'm listening. What do you want from me? What are the important things in this life. Reveal them to me that I may spend my time more wisely worshipping and honoring you in everything I do.

Not a Morning Person...

God has been wanting me in the morning for years and I have been rejecting Him. He spoke to me almost two weeks ago and told me simply that I needed to obey. I asked him how could I when I'm so tired all the time. He said obedience first, then blessing. He spoke again and gave me a specific time to get up and spend time with Him.

Every time I have tried to get up early (meaning 6 or earlier) since having children I have failed. I keep up with it for a few days and then I have some excuse, I went to bed late, I was up in the night, I'm sick, blah blah.

For me its about being disciplined and putting God and my family first. Not only does God want me up and spending time with him. But DH wants me up and ready for the day before the kids come bounding down at 7. I am a much nicer, happier mama and wife when I have had some time awake and time with the Lord before the activity of the day begins.

God gave me this scripture the week before I finally obeyed:

Psalm 63:6-8

6 On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 I cling to you;

your right hand upholds me.

He would help me if I clung to him. I can think of him all night and desire that time with him in the morning.

Also convicting was when my husband pointed out how when a friend or something fun was depending on me to get up early I could do it easily, but when he and God were depending on me I chose to disappoint them. It all boiled down to just plain selfishness. It really didn't matter if I wasn't a morning person. I needed to change and all it took was obedience and God would do the rest.

I set my alarm for 5:30. Of course I spent so much time disobeying and procrastinating that the day I started was the day we lost an hour due to daylight savings here on the east coast of the US. So I really was getting up at 4:30! God does have a sense of humor. I put my phone (alarm) across the room and had to get out of bed to shut it off.

I started reading a proverb a day (corresponding with the day of the month). Its amazing how many talk about how the fool loves sleep and is lazy etc. I do love sleep and I was so convicted. Well its been almost two weeks. I have not slept in once. I have napped once because I did go to bed too late and am coming down with something. God has sustained me and the last few days I have woke up 10-15 mins before my alarm with praise songs in my head. It is such a blessing to know that even as I sleep and dream God is on my mind. My days have been better. My attitude has been positive. My prayer life has improved.

Now I start by writing in my prayer journal, then read my proverb, then maybe write some more or read a bible study book I am doing or continue my very slow read through the bible. Every morning is a bit different but it is a huge blessing. Now I look forward to that special time with my Savior. Its something that I definitely would not give up for anyone, even my previous love, sleep.

Stress

On May 10, 2009 we welcomed J into the world. I went into labor quickly and was rushed into the operating room as J was breech and his foot was coming first. We both made it through the surgery well and within a short time J was contentedly nursing and resting. The first week was a dichotomy, easy caring for the second baby, harder recovering from major surgery. After 2 weeks I was ready to hit the town, having been pent up for so long (it seemed) I really wanted to get back to my "normal" life. By the end of week 3 I was suffering. Not only did the pain come back in my abdomen, but the 3 week growth spurt/fussy time had begun.

On top of all this life and work goes on around me. L has been fairly good but I have found it difficult to keep my cool with him under my sleep deprived circumstances. I question my abilities as a mom everyday. I really just want to take care of my family "properly" but I am now learning its just too much to expect three weeks postpartum.

Not only does family life go on but so does work. We do have extra help but there are certain things like tenant screening and selection that are my job exclusively. Unfortunately we had two openings this month. The first one that I rented I'm fearing I jumped too quickly and will be regretting, the second still isn't rented.

Today I find myself overly stressed. When I was wallowing in my negative attitude, comparing myself to others, something inside said, "stress is a choice". Yes, life is a bit hard right now, but I have so much to be grateful for. It could be so much worse. And honestly, comparing doesn't do my negative attitude any good because I find that I am spoiled compared to most new moms:

I have a husband who can stay home from work pretty much anytime. He is at my beckon call for whatever I need, whether it be sleep, food, errands, or a shower. My in-laws and mother jump at the chance to help me with L, meals, or picking up items at the store. My newborn is healthy and growing. He has enough strength to cry when he's hungry, wet, or just wants to be with me. My two year old has adjusted to his baby brother seamlessly. He loves his parents and just wants our attention, how can I fault him for that. I have a job that enables me to work on my own schedule. I have hired help at work and at home. I have all the materiel things I need and want to make caring for my family easy.

Sometimes I just have to stop and think. This is one of those times. Like David all throughout the Psalms, regardless of his circumstances, he was determined to praise. When he was chased, falsely accused, attacked, he just continued to move closer to God. He was faithful, never doubting God's eternal plan. May I be like David, praising my God through all the trials, never questioning, never wishing things were different, just accepting God knows more than me and He will see me through.

Psalm 71

¹ In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame.

² Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

³ Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

⁴ Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

⁵ For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

⁶ From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

⁷ I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

⁸ My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

⁹ Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

¹¹ They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

¹² Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

¹³ May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

¹⁴ But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

¹⁷ Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

¹⁹ Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

²¹ You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

²² I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

²³ My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

²⁴ My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.

Daddy's Gone

Dad passed last night shortly after midnight. My stepsister joked that she knew he was waiting til April fool's day to get one more joke in before he left. He had to go out on a high note...

Here is what I plan on sharing at the service Saturday...its a little repetitive if you have read my last post but I felt I needed to share my experience of God's love and peace with my family:

First, I just want to share a little about my experience processing Dad’s death.

I was so glad we made the trip down on Tuesday to see Dad before his passing. I was able to truly say goodbye, knowing it was the end. I was also able to connect and process some grief with R. I cannot even fathom what she has gone through, not only the past few weeks, but the years of caring for Dad as his health has been failing. She loves him so dearly - it is plain to see. One thing I realized as I began to process Dad’s death was that I am so thankful to have Christ in my life. I truly have a peace that passes understanding. I think to some it may seem odd and almost stoic but I just have full confidence in God's will and accept that this is what is best for my dad. I'm still sad and I cry. While I was alone with Dad I was able to let it out and again the day after he passed. I will continue to do so as grief tends to come in waves for me. But I know that, with me, I have the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles. I have a God who turns my mourning into dancing. He is with me and I am with Him. I have his peace like a river flowing through me and my faith in Him will not be shaken. I praise Him for His love and kindness. I praise Him for all the wonderful memories I have of my Dad.

The six hours between when I left Dad and when he left us, I found myself overcome with an incredible joy and peace that could only be explained as supernatural. I know Dad would be glad to hear that on the night of his passing, I got the best sleep I’d had in weeks, knowing that “everything was going to be okay,” because that is what he always told me. As we have persevered through these last few weeks, I know that God has poured out his compassion and mercy over me. He has kept me strong in faith and protected me from myself. He has put his arms around me and said "it’s okay, I've got you." Although I might have lost my earthly father, I have an amazing heavenly father who is able to do exceedingly more abundantly than I could ever hope for or imagine and for that I can never be thankful enough.

Now about Dad…Dad lived a long and amazing life. He never had it easy. As a child he suffered much loss and endured much pain. Unfortunately, we often repeat what we know. I know that I am blessed to have had Dad in the last 30 years of his life. It was obvious to me that during my lifetime his biggest fear was causing anyone any more pain. It is sad that earlier in his life he missed the opportunity to be the kind of dad he was created to be.

Dad was so smart, amazing with numbers, and had the most fantastic memory especially for movies and trivia. His quick wit and play on words always had us cracking up. And the impersonations were uncanny – my favorite had to be the Count from Seseme Street. Although I may be young to experience the passing of a parent, it is countered by the fact that I have so many good memories. My childhood favorite mac and cheese from the box, learning to ride my bike, staying up too late watch Saturday night live, him giving me his bed and taking the couch, two packs of candy and a slurpee at 7-11 when he picked me up on weekends, McDonald’s pancakes and ice cream sundaes, eating cake at meetings, and Dad bringing R to be my friend. The museums, plays, Chincoteague, Florida trips to visit B and go body surfing. Learning way more than any girl needed to know about baseball, the Oriels in Baltimore and Spring Training in Florida. Winter, Spring, and Summer vacations in Florida – spoiled by the pool, the beach, the sun, and my Daddy. Talking on the phone in college and Dad comforting me with his favorite phrase “everything’s going to be okay”, Father Martin’s Ashley, our time together in Johnstown and Dad holding his newborn grandson L. Visits to Rhinebeck and those wonderful final smiles he gave me in ICU a few weeks ago.

These are just some of my fond memories but I know Dad has touched so many lives from family to friends, from Florida to New York and probably around the globe. Dad did everything he could in the last 30 years to reach out and help someone in need. Just last year I heard friends from Rhinebeck speak of how much his words and support had helped them. Even as he suffered with the loss of his mind and the failing of his body, he was still able to give what he had left to someone else. It may seem Dad now has nothing left to give, but today he gives us his legacy – a legacy of love and generosity. I am proud to call him my father and will cherish how he loved me by working to become a better man each day of his life, doing the best he knew how to do, one day at a time.