September 28
DebDay 198: Far Far Far
It's strange to be back to Monday usual, after a perfect time away with family in California. After getting home late on Saturday, I was able to somehow function on Sunday morning. (Without overtly hallucinating.)
For this trip everything I hoped and prayed for turned out just like I hoped and prayed for. My father was provided extended time to interact with his grandchildren. And his great grandchildren!
I take none of this for granted. Nor did my Dad. It's certainly not everyone who lives to see his children's children's children. When it does happen for any family, our included, it's nothing less than a tangible expression of God's grace.
My 6-year old grandson was unsure how to address my Dad. He already has a couple of "Papa's" in his life. (I go by "Gramps" just to lessen the confusion.) So we decided to go old school, like back to the old country old school. We went all Swedish on him.
It's a pretty simple formula, really. Father = Far, Mother = Mor (pronounced "Moor.") You simply repeat for the generations. With this, my Dad was (amazingly) "FarFarFar." Father's Father's Father. It blew this grandson's mind. His silly 6-year old sense of humor loved it. It worked.
Being together with both children, one child's spouse, two grandsons, and my own father, I couldn't escape the thought. This event will likely never happen again. Not to be morbid, but being pragmatic, people only live so long.
My Dad was aware of the same. Neither of us mentioned the subject, but we both internally acknowledged the reality of this none the less. That's why I encouraged my kids to ask any/every question of their Papa. Because there's no guarantee there will be another opportunity.
I didn't have to take up the air space when we were all together. Because I had 8 hours in the car, both directions, just the two of us. And talk we did. About a lot of different things.
And I wanted to leave with nothing left unsaid. Nothing left unheard. No regrets. My Dad is still a wise counselor. And my only real hero this side of heaven.
Psalm 103 says, "But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments."
This speaks of legacy, the legacy of deep and abiding faith that can be passed down from one generation to the next. Our family is blessed. This is the grace Jesus has given us. Each prior generation has (or is leading) the next generation, in word and deed, to know and love Jesus.
My Dad remains the patriarch. I know the time will come when I will take over that role. It is and will be my responsibility to lead; lead the following generations to have repeated opportunities to see, hear and experience the gospel of Jesus.
And maybe, one day, I'll get to take over the title: FarFarFar.
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
